With Him, Sent by Him By Beth DeCristofaro

 With Him, Sent by Him  By Beth DeCristofaro

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

 

For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one. But he finds fault with them and says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. (Hebrews 8:7-8)

 

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth (Mark 3:13-14)

 

 

Piety

Today, Brother Jesus, when I hear your voice, may my heart not be hardened.  May I speak your Word in my piety, study and action.  May I speak your voice through support of those most vulnerable such as unborn children, the poor, and persons disregarded, disrespected or sidelined by society.

 

Study

How patient and trusting is our God!  Although the Old Testament is full of moments when God punishes the Israelites, God repeatedly returns, renewing, forgiving, and drawing close the fickle people.  Jesus sends out his friends to spread the Word even though at times he sounds exasperated “do you not understand?”  In this reading, I realize how much like the Apostles I am, speaking as a sister of Christ. 

The Apostles were called personally by Jesus.  I, too, am called in His sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.  They learned as they talked with him. I learn about Christian living in so very many ways. My family provided  catechism and a Catholic upbringing. Later piety and study became part of my practice.  I also sinned and was reunited to the Church community through the sacrament of Reconciliation.  I mindfully tried out my voice as a disciple by speaking the Word in my Word or my actions. I dined with Jesus, as did his friends, today through the celebration of Holy Eucharist. And his friends were sent from him just as I am by being born 2,000+ years after his death and Resurrection.  They did not always have him to give him a specific answer as I do not.

 

But he told them he would be with them even as they went forth.  And he tells me the same.  This beautiful stained-glass window shows Jesus calling us, the Communion of Saints in training, and it shows martyrs whose sending forth cost them their mortal lives but never their kinship with Him.  We are not all called to be martyrs except in dying to those demons within ourselves which keep us from following His Word. Yet we are called to be with him no matter where or when we find ourselves.  We stay with Him to the end by bringing Him to each of our interactions, duties, recreations, and emotions, choosing our relationship with Him to be part of each God-given moment.  Our conscious desire is also His gift. Taking time for Jesus in prayer attunes us evermore to that “channel” within us that hears his voice, senses and rests in his presence.

 

Action

What task is in front of me today?  In what way can I bring Jesus with me anew to this task?  Talk to Him as I start my day?  Interrupt myself and welcome him to this particular moment? Let him know what most I would like to give to him in the upcoming hours?  He will be with me through mundane, challenge, fear, lethargy, grimness, doubt, confusion, pleasure, worry, through all.

 

 

Illustration:  From Holy Martyrs Church, Oreland, PA, stained glass by Beyer Studio, https://www.beyerstudio.com/portfoliomodern.php?jawn=HMOP