Scripture:
1 John 3:22-4:6
Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25
Reflection:
My mother had many sayings she often repeated to us. One of those was "Actions speak louder than words." Even at an early age, I knew what she meant. It’s so easy to say: I love you. It takes a lifetime to learn to live that sentiment. It’s easy to say, "We must stop the violence." Everyone, legislators, people on the street, and even NRA members repeat the mantra, and yet the violence continues. We must take action, if we expect things to change.
For me, the Serenity Prayer helps move me from words to action and to make changes in my life when things aren’t working. It reminds me, that while there is much in the world that I cannot do anything about, I can always make changes in my own life if I have courage.
"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference" (Reinhold Niebuhr)
Today’s scripture readings tell me that Jesus’ mother, Mary, must have gone to the same child rearing school my mother attended. They also tell me that Jesus was a man of action.
"He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people." (Matthew 4:23)
Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists. He lives in Chicago.