“Rejoicing in the Lord is your Strength” by Beth DeCristofaro

“Rejoicing in the Lord is your Strength” by Beth DeCristofaro

Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

"Today is holy to the LORD your God.  Do not be sad, and do not weep"– for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:9-10)

He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. (Luke 10:3-6)

Piety

Fill me with your Holy Spirit, Lord so that I may have inner freedom.  Let your Spirit instill in my heart a desire to know and love you more each day. (www.sacredspace.ie)

Study

Ezra and Nehemiah wrote their books for the Hebrew Bible in a time of belligerent occupation by a foreign enemy. There was a real danger of the Jews assimilating and being subsumed into the prevailing culture.  The priests prevail, reminding the Chosen People of God’s Law, given in Covenant: “Rejoice in the God who has chosen us, guides us and sustains us through evil and to joy.”  Jesus does not mince words to his disciples.  He tells them that they will be childlike amid malicious and immoral unbelievers.

Moreover, many will view the disciples as a threat to the gods they follow.  But, he says, you will be bearers of My truth, peace and the Word.  I endow the world with the presence of Divine Love through you, my beloved friends.  Rejoice in the Lord who is your strength!

God continually reveals that love through Divine History using real, historical human beings, many of whom we meet in Scripture.  Today mouthpieces of joy can be those we call real friends.  When life suddenly turns on a dime – an unexpected diagnosis, a mass murder, a devastating storm, a relapse into addiction – those who “enter” our houses to listen, care, help without agenda or selfishness continue the mission of the 72 disciples.  Peace upon this house and the presence of God remain with you during the time of troubles they say through their devotion.  Rejoice in the Lord who sends such friends and who opens our hearts to their loving care.  God’s strength is for us even when rejoicing seems most defeated by sadness.

Action

As Cursillistas, we have a unique, rainbow invitation to be good friends. Say a prayer for those friends who have gotten you through the tough times and with whom you share the times of beauty. Just as in Nehemiah’s time, we live in a time of occupation by violence. How can we be friends to those touched by violence? How can our rejoicing in our Lord better build up God’s Kingdom of Peace in our beleaguered United States?