Scripture:
1 John 3:22 – 4:6
Matthew 4:12-17;23-25
Reflection:
There is an Irish Blessing that spoke to me as I read today’s readings:
"May those that love us – love us. And those that don’t love us, may God turn their hearts. If God doesn’t turn their hearts, may God turn their ankles so we’ll know them by their limping."
Our world today is filled with misinformation. At times, it seems that the most ridiculous and hurtful information circulates the fastest. Harmful stuff… rumors, gossip, stuff that no human following Christ’s path has any business discussing about another human as 1) we are all created by God and God loves us all and wants us to love one another; 2) we are all going to mess up on occasion so why should I be more concerned about the splinter in your eye when I have a splinter or plank in my own eye; 3) why focus on the crap when so much beauty and goodness that exists waiting to be appreciated and acknowledged?
As humans our spirits are restless. We are constantly looking for something to occupy our time- Something to fulfill us. Show me where a person spends his/her finite resources: time, money and energy – and I’ll tell you what that person truly values/loves.
Lord, help me to remember and to intentionally choose where to put my finite resources. Instead of wasting my time gabbing about others, please give me the determination and strength to act as you would act… For the good of others and to serve God’s plan. And make no mistake our Jesus was a human of action – Jesus was no armchair quarterback – no behind the desk pundit – Jesus was out in the trenches of life with those who needed him and needed what he had to offer. Jesus used the gifts God gave him. For proof we need look no further than today’s gospel reading … Look at all those action verbs.. He taught. He proclaimed. He healed. He cured. And later in the gospels… He died. He rose. "Oh sure… Jesus was the son of God," you say. "I’m not Jesus," we lazily proclaim in self-defense and to preserve our status quo. But let’s consider the real Jesus as our faith teaches — Jesus was fully human. Through his human birth, Jesus became a permanent member of our human family.
Consider that one during your daily meditation and in reaching your worthy New Years resolutions!
Nellie Draus-Stallings is a member of the Worship Committee at St. Agnes Parish in Louisville, Kentucky.