Rejoice and Be Glad

June 8, 2009

Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 2 Corinthians 1:5-6

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

Piety

I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears. Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame. In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress. The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God. Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you holy ones; nothing is lacking to those who fear him. The powerful grow poor and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Psalm 34:5-11


Study

Back in the 1970’s there was a popular song with lyrics that went something like this:

I beg your pardon
I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There’s got to be a little rain sometime.

Today’s readings remind me that Jesus never promised us that following him would be easy. So, he sends his encouragement in the form of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order for us to get over the hurdles in our Christian path.

There is a famous story about St. Theresa of Avila. As she was bucked off her horse into a river on the way to visit one of her monasteries, she said to God: “If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so many enemies.”

St. Theresa was going through a period of rain in her relationship with God. As she endures, there will be some sunshine in the future.

Life will not always be seen and lived as if it were passing through rose-colored glasses. However, when Jesus says, “Pick up your cross,” he does not leave us alone to drag it through the streets of Fairfax, Reston or Arlington. Not only will Christ send us his encouragement, but once we finish with our lives here, our rewards will be great in heaven.

Action

The Beatitudes remind us that the Lord will save us from all of our afflictions. However, in light of these human problems, we also must help others who are dealing with these kinds of issues among their family and friends. For when they face these problems, God is there for us.

God will comfort.

God will satisfy.

God will show mercy.

God will revel himself.
God will show mercy.

We are God’s hands and feet in this world. How can we see Jesus in those who are suffering and help reveal God to those in need?