Scripture:
Sirach 47:2-11
Mark 6:14-29
Reflection:
Take to prayer your most daunting personal challenge. Take to prayer the most painful social situation which invades your senses, and troubles your conscience. Put whichever into the hands of God along with your "will-to-act."
The act of prayer is based in belief in our relationship with Jesus, the Christ. The action to follow is based upon trust in Him. And it is all a matter of faith. But "he was too much for them. Where did he get all this? What kind of wisdom is he endowed with? How is it, such miraculous deeds are accomplished by his hands? Jesus was distressed at the lack of faith in him. He could work no miracle there."
Baptism bestows a grace of destiny to eternal life, and a mission to further the building of the kingdom of God. Sts. Blasé and Ansgar were both zealous missionaries willing to publically contribute to the building of the kingdom in virtually non-Christian cultures of northern Europe (sounds contemporary). What am I doing for the sake of the Kingdom today?
Traditionally, Catholics have their throats blessed on this day to guard against all diseases of the throat. Could the blessing also grant courage to find our voices in promoting peace and justice? What is needed to further the kingdom of God in a just way? Thank God for the inspiration, in the first place, that we can pray and act in this tradition of the saints.
Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P. is president of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, Alabama.