Let God go where God Will.

Prayer for the Day

As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Jos 24)

Reflection

St. Paul reminds us that we Christians have been made one in Christ and therefore should live in a way that befits our corporate identity. (1Cor 12) We live in Christ and Christ lives in us. The very structure of Christian faith proclaims unity—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, one Father of us all. Hence we have a responsibility to mediate God’s presence to those around us, not to obstruct God’s movements. You never know who your actions touch, for better or worse.  Jesus can, and does, take the life that you distribute to others and with His grace influences them in ways we do not know.

We all know there are many people in our day-to-day world who need our healing touch, kind words, encouragement and love. God works through us, so let God do God’s business. Do not get in God’s way, even for the most benign and well- intended intentions.  

In Matthew’s Gospel some children were brought to Jesus so he might bless them, but the disciples tried to stop them.  They were so possessive of the Lord’s attention; they tried to keep others from him.  There were “institutional” barriers to Jesus, even then.  Yet Jesus beckoned the little ones forward and laid hands on them and proclaimed, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:13-15) 

For us who seek the Lord there are barriers to be overcome.  We are all made for God.  And we can attain the love of God if we “do what is right and just.” (Jer 22:3)  To be a woman or man who acts justly is to be close to God.  Act with justice and “create for yourself a new heart and a new spirit and return to me and live,” says the Lord God (Psalm 51).  So that is what we must be about:  transforming heart and spirit.  We must become loving, compassionate and attentive to the needs of others.  We must create a free, happy and joy-filled spirit as we attempt to live a life based on Gospel values.  

Artificial and man-made barriers that keep us from God fade in the presence of a clear conscience, a contrite heart, and a humble, yet, joy-filled spirit.  Such was the disposition of the “children” brought to Jesus.  And the kingdom of God belongs to them.

Jesus waits for us to come to him; the Lord waits to embrace us.  The Lord waits to say to each of us, “The kingdom belongs to such as you!”