Good News Reflection
Tuesday of the 24th Week of Ordinary Time
September 14, 2010
Today's Readings:
Numbers 21:4b-9
Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-38 (with 7b)
Phil 2:6-11
John 3:13-17
http://www.usccb.org/nab/091410.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_09_14.mp3
The Holy Cross rises above destruction
Faith is tested and strengthened in crises. Spiritual growth doesn't normally occur in easy, comfortable times. We cannot rise to higher realms if we don't first realize that there is something to climb away from.
We know too well the feeling of the first line in today's first reading; our patience has been worn out by the journey. The next line I don't like much, but it's true. We do complain against God. While enduring trials, we complain that he should be answering our prayers faster or in a different way, because we don't like to suffer.
Complaints are based on hopelessness and lack of trust in God. Complaints are based on what we see with our eyes – as if we can trust our eyes to see the whole picture. Faith tells us that there is a much bigger picture than what we could know or understand. Faith tells us that God has been working a plan – his own strategies – to turn our sufferings into a greater good.
As we're reminded in today's Gospel teading, the cure for the disaster that befell the Israelites is our cure today. The very symbol of disaster turns out to be what saves us. Do we have eyes to see the Cross of Christ lifted above the disasters we witness or experience, above our fears and grief and anger?
In every crisis, we journey through a grieving process. Discovering the triumph of the Cross over evil requires time to cry and work through all five stages:
1) Denial: Could this really be happening? Not to me, Lord!
2) Bargaining: If I pray more rosaries, maybe I can make the bad things stop.
3) Depression: I feel so empty, despairing, alone, ignored by God.
4) Anger: Those who caused this suffering should be punished. You are wrong in saying I should love them!
5) Acceptance: It happened, but God is still God. He is still ultimately in charge. He is going to make good come from this tragedy, and I want to grow because of these hardships, becoming stronger in faith and in love.
The Father gave Jesus angels who ministered to him when he took up his Cross. The Father has given you angels, too, and he has given you his Son, as well.
To order a printer-ready copy of this reflection for distribution, go tohttp://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/triumphcross.htm.
© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
This work is NOT in Public Domain and may NOT be copied without permission.
You may print one copy for your own personal use.
For PERMISSION and info on how to copy this reflection for sharing, see:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?
Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?
Sign up for your own subscription! Go to http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need your help in my daily ministry?
Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. Please visithttp://gnm.org/donate.htm where you can make a real difference - even if you cannot make a financial donation!
Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries http://gnm.org is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources, LLC http://catholicdr.com is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________
This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.
MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:
Sign up at http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
or change your address
or unsubscribe
No comments:
Post a Comment