Only in God be at Rest, My Soul

September 10, 2007

Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

By Beth De Cristofaro

Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. (Psalm 62:6,7)

Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)

Piety

Look on me with your loving eyes, Jesus, and heal what is withered within me. Today let me walk assuredly upon you, my rock, rather than the rickety ground of rules, society or expectations of others. Let me offer your love to anyone I meet and accept your loving presence in them. And keep in your special care today the men of the 115^th Cursillo who opened themselves to you this weekend.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/091007.shtml

Jesus heals because it is the right thing to do. How often do I accept that challenge?

Jesus heals because it is the loving thing to do. How often do I refuse love or block God’s love in my life?

Often Jesus remarked to the individuals He healed “Your sins are forgiven” or “Go and sin no more.” Jesus was filled with and offered mercy and forgiveness in profusion. Can we see ourselves as worthy of Jesus’ healing? As forgiven, loved sinners are we able to love and forgive others?

The scribes reacted in fury to Jesus’ illegal action. They could not see past a breaking of rules. Thus they could not experience conversion. Can we rejoice in Jesus’ abundant love – even for the undeserving - or are we hemmed in by expectations of the world? Do we find ourselves watching for others to trip up and sin? Where is mercy and forgiveness in our lives?

Action

What keeps me from accepting and from offering mercy and forgiveness? Perhaps looking at someone who most upsets me and identifying what in her/him infuriates me is a way to start. Is this same trait/value/behavior actually a plank in my own eye? Can I stretch out my personal “withered hand” and accept Jesus’ healing? Can I look beyond the surface to God within?

Say a special prayer for our brother Babe Chicks in Christ today.