In the year 2020, we have an overwhelming access to anything and everything happening around the world and locally. During an election year, you’ll notice that the information heightens even more. Everything has become political. Some of us understand the importance of working as a team while others seek to please their own agenda. I know these words may sound harsh but that’s the unfortunate reality of our world. So what do we do about it? We are all HUMAN with burdens, hopes and joys. We all carry crosses and we all celebrate the good in our lives. Can we embrace our faults and joys in a way that builds each other up.
My fiancé and I have been trying to plan a wedding (to be honest, really weird during a pandemic) and one of the things to do is choosing the readings for the ceremony. We came across a reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 15:1b-3a, 5-7, 13
Brothers and sisters:
We ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves;
let each of us please our neighbor for the good,
for building up.
For Christ did not please himself.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to think in harmony with one another,
in keeping with Christ Jesus,
that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,
for the glory of God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may account in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
God knows how to speak to us when we most need it. I have felt such anger and sadness over everything that is happening and I need reminders about imitating Christ. For Christ did not please himself. Jesus meets us where we are at in order to please us. He wants us to tell him how we feel, when we are hurt and distressed and when we are joyful and full of life. He does this so that we may imitate his love to others.
Let us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. We want to build the Kingdom of God on earth and St. Paul reminds us that efforts that are made for the good of the other will build up our world. We have never experienced a time like this in our world so let us remember that we need each other and most importantly, we need each other to imitate Jesus. My fiancé has imitated Jesus for me. He listens and tells me it’s okay to feel what I am feeling especially during this time but to be reminded of how many things in life we have overcome. He’s patient with me, and knows how to calm my fears and that’s how I know Jesus is present with us.
Give yourself some time to feel Jesus present with you through prayer and in conversations that you have this week. Intentionally reflect about how Jesus was present to you, it may be the way in which He is calling you to imitate Him.
Reflection question of the week: What is the most important thing for me in this moment?