It takes trust to follow Jesus

Good News Reflection
Monday of the 34th Week of Ordinary Time
November 22, 2010

Today's Saint: Cecilia
Pray for the converstion of spouses:
http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Cecilia.htm

Today's Readings:
Rev 14:1-5
Ps 24:1-6
Luke 21:1-4
http://www.usccb.org/nab/112210.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_11_22.mp3

It takes trust to follow Jesus

Today's first reading describes the redeemed. The number 144,000 was derived from the mathematical square of the 12 tribes of Israel multiplied by a thousand (i.e., a very large amount) and means "ALL": the new Israel embracing all followers of Christ from every nation and language.

This scripture is not just about heaven nor the world after the Second Coming of Christ. We today, here in our contemporary world, have been redeemed from the destruction of sin, washed clean by our baptisms and by our daily decisions to continue following Christ wherever he goes. Though we still sin, we regain our purity in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and through the Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass.

However, following Jesus requires a tremendous amount of trust. Look at the widow in today's Gospel reading. How could she give what she could not afford? Did she believe that God would reward her with a kitchen full of groceries? Probably not. That wasn't the point Jesus was trying to make. What she gave more of, Jesus implied, was love. She was more in love with God than those who based their donations on the surplus of their wealth. Her stewardship was based on her love for God and her awareness of his love for her.

Trust comes from a mutual exchange of genuine love. We've become distrustful because people have violated our trust. Of course, we know that God is far more trustable than they are. Thus, we CAN be like that widow who gave everything.

Think of Christian parents who send their grown children off into their adult lives. The newly fledged, inexperienced young adults explore their independence in a college or work environment where there are many temptations to discard what their parents have taught them. This usually coincides with letting go of their parents' faith in order to take personal ownership of the faith, which can take years and which makes them even more vulnerable to temptation, especially in today's culture.

Parents who love Jesus find themselves praying for their children much more fervently now. Trusting Jesus becomes crucial for sanity! Their ability to influence their children's lives has become like the widow's two small coins. There is very little to give their children that will make a difference, but they give it with great love. It's a sacrificial love that their children won't understand until they have children of their own. But Jesus understands, approves, and appreciates the gift.

When we entrust the little we have to our Lord's mighty power, God can and does multiply our efforts through his tremendous love; he redeems their value. We live the life of the redeemed!

Note: If you're a parent whose children need prayers, or if you need prayer support as a parent, join the Good News Ministries e-group Parents Who Pray:
http://www.gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/Parents/index.html

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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