He Sent Me

March 23, 2012

Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent

By Melanie Rigney

The wicked said among themselves, “Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, because he is annoying to us; he opposes our actions, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD. To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways.” (Wisdom 2:1, 12-15)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. (Psalms 34:19)

… (S)ome of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Messiah? But we know where he is from. When the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” (John 7:25-29)

Piety

Lord, it’s so much easier to be good when I am among the good. Give me the strength I need to share the Good News when those I am with doubt You.

Study

Have you been annoying to anyone lately?

I’m not talking about coughing without covering your mouth or standing on the left-hand side of an escalator. I’m talking about turning away from gossip with your friends or coworkers. I’m talking about listening to someone’s problems, then thoughtfully and compassionately offering to pray for him or her rather than descending into "solutioning" or tit-for-tat, “you think you have it bad, well, let me tell you about my personal hell.” I’m talking about remaining calm and composed and serene when someone attacks you for having ashes on your forehead or a Bible on your desk or a cross around your neck.

Living a Christian life is annoying to a lot of people, sometimes even our fellow Christians. And sometimes, being annoying by attempting to live that life 24/7, just as Jesus did, gets us persecuted and ridiculed. And sometimes, in ways and at times we may never see, the annoyance kindles a tiny spark in others that can build into a roaring flame. Hard as it may be, let us never be afraid to show who we are and Who sent us… even if others find us annoying in the moment.

Action

The 124^th Women’s Cursillo Weekend in the Arlington Diocese began last night at Missionhurst. Consider spending your Sunday afternoon around a bunch of other people some may find annoying in their love of God at the closing Mass at St. Joseph’s in Alexandria. See http://www.arlingtoncursillo.org/134-womens-cursillo/closing/ for more details.