On Challenges and Invitations

Prayer for the Day

“Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Only-Begotten Son in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world….”

Reflection

How often we hear comments such as, "I don't get anything out of going to Mass." And, “I don’t think I should have to go every week.”  It is a spillover from our secular society where so often we are looking for rewards without putting out any effort—the “fancy” word is "entitlement".

The people who make these comments have yet to grasp the tremendous gifts that we have been given; the gifts of faith and redemption, given by God Himself from the Cross. Christ doesn't force Himself on anyone, but He is always at the door of our souls, waiting in love for us to give Him some time and space in our hearts.

The Gospel reading for Thursday challenges us to go to the root of our beings and look for the obstacles within ourselves that keep us separated from God—the things that prevent us from expressing our love for God with a child's openness and trust. (Matthew 10:7-15)

At our baptism we became sons and daughters of Christ. Through that sacrament and Confirmation we are challenged to carry out His mission.  If only all of us understood that challenge, given in love, by Love Himself!  Christ spells out clearly what we are to do and that we have His assurance that He is always with us.

God wants to heal us from anything that inhibits us from completely surrendering to His loving care. This may be sin, fear, resentment, guilt, pride or some other restriction that prevents us from living the kind of life that God wills for us. That prevents a deep and lasting freedom that comes from a closer union with God. An ever-deepening acceptance of God's unconditional love is what gives us the courage we need to overcome these obstacles.

At the same time as it challenges us, Thursday’s Old Testament reading (Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5) invites us to take a pilgrimage into the depths of our self, past the illusions we have mistaken for reality and the dark shadows that have held us captive.

We are not alone in this journey of discovery. And as we travel, we are promised through the transforming power of the resurrection—hope and faith—joy and peace—love and abundance—as we abandon the heavy burdens that we carry through life and surrender all to God.

It is my prayer that I may never grow weary of faithfully living or preaching the Good News, and never submit to "writing off" people who don't, but commending them and the salvation of the whole world to the mercy of God.