Daring to be zealous again

Good News Reflection
Monday of the 33rd Week of Ordinary Time
November 15, 2010

Today's Saint: Albert the Great
Pray for scientists:
http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/AlbertGreat.htm

Today's Readings:
Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5
Ps 1:1-4, 6 (with Rev. 2:17)
Luke 18:35-43
http://www.usccb.org/nab/111510.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_11_15.mp3

Daring to be zealous again

Sometimes, I dare to write reflections that some readers don't want to reflect upon, and they scold me. But my ministry is not about limiting myself to only messages that will win compliments from everyone.

I certainly would PREFER to write only what's "safe", tickling your spiritual ears so that I can receive plenty of accolades. Indeed I have given in to that temptation, but today's first reading has challenged me down through the years, reminding me that being a Christian sometimes means being misunderstood, disbelieved, and persecuted.

And he's said the same thing to you.

Listen to Jesus, "the one who holds the seven stars" (i.e., all the holy angels) and "walks among the seven golden lampstands" (i.e., the whole Church, all of us). He's affirming you in these verses: "I know your deeds ... your patience and endurance ... that you don't tolerate wickedness ... that you are enduring hardships for me ...."

Now listen to what disappoints him: "You have lost the love you had at first." Ouch.

Remember how boldly excited you used to get about the Faith? You were like the blind man who was healed in Luke 18:35-43, enthusiastically giving glory to God. But after raising a few eyebrows of disapproval on the faces around you, did you begin to restrain your zeal? I know I have. Ouch again.

There is nothing I write that I have not already faced personally. This is the reason for my zeal. When we have wrestled with the truth and then allowed God to be the winner, the transformation that happens in us gives us zeal for sharing our discoveries, even when others disagree with us.

When we lose that confidence, we need to run back to God and let him comfort us. We need to give him the opportunity to build us up again so that we can go out into the world with renewed energy. Our zeal for running to God for comfort becomes zeal for sharing the truth despite persecution and rejection.

Well-lived Christianity is an adventure, because it's a very daring road that we travel. To succeed, we must first pay attention to the wrestling matches we've been fighting and admit that God should be allowed to win.

Here's an example of how that happens: What teachings of the Church do you disagree with? Dare to assume that there's something about it that you don't understand, then dare to ask the Holy Spirit to explain the truth to you. Dare to look deeper: How is this unlikeable teaching really based on love? How can it increase your holiness? God will enlighten you, perhaps immediately but more likely over time as he leads you on a journey of discovery.

We must even dare to accept the difficult teachings BEFORE we understand them. Oftentimes, understanding comes only after we begin to live what we had previously rejected.

Finally, we must dare to publicly stand firm in the truth. This is what it means to hold fast to our "early love" and do the works that we did at first.

Congratulate yourself for all the dares you've already taken with the Lord, and use that joy to re-energize your enthusiasm.

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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