Scripture:
Romans 3:21-30
Luke 11:47-54
Reflection:
Wondrous deeds have been done by the Lord to us and in front of us. What else will it take for us to be strong in our faith and open ourselves up to a spiritual transformation?
In the readings for today, we hear that all people have been justified in faith by the grace and mercy of God. Equally. We are all sinners but have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. Who are we to judge one another? In the end we will be judged on the basis of faith. Today, our faith is countercultural, drawing us away from our faith rather than towards God. Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm! Isaiah 7:9. We come from a culture of convenience; we can get anything we want at any time of the day. Life, which includes our faith, should be as easy and happy as possible. If we start to view the trends of today as truth, what will come of us? If we dread, fear, or hate, what is inconvenient how we will ever become closer to God? We cannot expect something so glorious to be easily attainable, but have faith through the sufferings we incur along the way. It is through these sufferings that we are able to experience true peace and the love of God here on earth.
"Do not be disturbed by the passing trials you are going through, since you must know that similar trials will come often. Our divine Savior visits those servants who are dear to him and purifies them with trails to develop their fidelity" – St. Paul of the Cross.
God graces us with His presence in our daily lives in order to transform us by His love and mercy into what He has planned for us. God places on our hearts his Word and Will for our lives. When we open ourselves up to this possibility and begin to live in faith, we realize that it is the only possibility and wish to be transformed. Why would we want to do anything else? We should be increasing in faith, good deeds and love. We have free will and can make the active choice to open our lives to the will of God, or to turn down the wide and easy path. In what way will you choose to seek His will today?
"I seek nothing else, I long for nothing else…save in all things to be transformed by love in the divine will…" – St. Paul of the Cross
Kim Valdez is a Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.