Tuesday of the Sixth Week
in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
Blessed is he who
perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown
of life that he promised to those who love him. … Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his
desire. Then desire conceives and brings
forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. (James 1:12, 14-15)
Jesus enjoined them,
“Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of
Herod.” They concluded among themselves
that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to
them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet
understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? (Mark 8:15-18)
Piety
Instruct your
servant, O God, in perseverance against temptation. Open my ears and eyes, soften my heart so
that I recognize and resist my own desires.
Each day with your grace might I strive to love you and live to make
others love you.
Study
During a Centering
Prayer retreat a participant asked, “I find myself thinking of so many other
things when I try to sit in silence with God”.
Our retreat leader responded that all those moments of awareness are
moments that we can turn consciously back to God. His perspective was very encouraging to me in
my constant struggle with distractions.
I find the same perspective helpful when I consider those moments when I
do not persevere against temptation and I clearly “have
eyes and not see, ears and not hear.” With God’s grace I can become aware and turn
back to God. Turn again and again to be
born again to Christ as my primary focus and path.
Can we see these
opportunities as birthdays? We can stop
playing the external game of “my desires” and prioritize God’s desires instead
our own. February 18, 1903, St. Gertrude
Comensoli died and thus celebrated her heavenly birthday in eternity. All during her life she chose Jesus above all
others first as a child when she committed herself to the Eucharist and then
later as a religious, educator and founder of the Institute of the Sisters Adorers
of the Blessed Sacrament. Her life was not easy nor is it any easier
for you or me to persevere in temptation without God.
Action
Jesus tells the
disciples not to accept the false leaven of the Pharisees. St. Gertrude’s creed of living, “Jesus,
loving You and making others love You,” illustrates a way to live Jesus’ words. Read
more about St. Gertrude in Sisterhood of
Saints. Perhaps we can also pay
attention today to the opportunities to turn back to Jesus when we have not
persevered. See each opportunity as a
new birth in our life with Jesus. Also,
if you have the chance tell someone Happy Birthday! Today, for example, the founder and editor of
Our Daily Tripod celebrates his earthly birthday. Happy Birthday and Many Blessings, Tony.
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