With Heart Eager and Hopeful

January 22, 2012

Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

By Beth DeCristofaro

Brothers and sisters:  God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises. (Hebrews 6:10-12)

(Jesus said, ) “That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2:28)

Piety

Hallelujah!

I will praise the LORD with all my heart

in the assembled congregation of the upright.

He sent release to his people,

decreed his covenant forever;

holy and fearsome is his name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

prudent are all who practice it.

His praise endures forever.   (Psalm  111:1, 9-10)

Study

When very young, I went to Mass because my mother and father took me.  As I grew older, I went because they told me to,  and then I learned that it was part of my Catholic duties.  In college I went out of curiosity but also because of the community that was formed around the Eucharistic meal and sharing.  Community became more important than duty.  Today I go because it is part of my identity and because it is a unique and special way to give thanks and praise with Jesus and with others.  Together we are church and we share in the life, death and resurrection in an exceptional time that includes eternity.

Now I must admit that each liturgy does not move me to ecstasy or even keep me from being distracted.  So the words in Hebrews and Jesus’ explanation falls deeply into my heart.  God promised to me the inheritance promised Abraham, Elijah, Paul and all who seek God with an eager – not sluggish – heart.  And most importantly, the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath, Beth is not.   My Lord and my God comes to meet me.  May my heart be open and ready to meet God each and every day whether in a field, on the Sabbath, in Mass or in the subway. 

Action

Do I come to prayer or the Eucharist from a sense of duty or full of eagerness to meet God?  What can I bring that will keep my heart eager not sluggish?  The Teams for the Spring Cursillo weekends are in formation.  How can I help the teams’ hearts to stay eager and open?