Imitating your Master

Good News ReflectionThursday of the Fourth Week of EasterMay 7, 2009
Today's Readings:Acts 13:13-25Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27John 13:16-20http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/050709.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_05_07.mp3
Imitating your Master
Who is frustrating you? Betraying you? Persecuting you? Robbing you of peace? Do you know how to be like Jesus to overcome this? Jesus said in today's Gospel scene (when he was about to get hurt more than you and I will ever experience) that we can never be greater than he is. Yet, we think we've got a better idea of how to handle the troublemakers in our lives.
How did he deal with those who caused problems for him? Not by zapping them out of the picture with a bolt of lightning like we sometimes wish we could do! He loved them and forgave them, even when they didn't ask for it. You saw that in his responses to Judas on Good Friday. This mercy didn't add to his pain; it gave him endurance and then it resurrected him!
Because Jesus lives in us, we can have the same victory when dealing with those who sin against us.
Victory doesn't come from getting rid of trouble-makers and the problems they cause; it comes from embracing them the way Jesus did. He knew the hidden victory that lay in the cross.
Loving our enemies gives us a hidden power that crushes the devil. Forgiving those who hurt us — including those who show no remorse — sets us free from the nails that bind us to the cross. If our happiness depends on waiting for trouble-makers to change, we are permanently nailed to the cross of their unrepentance. If our willingness to love them depends on their willingness to love us, we are permanently nailed to the cross of their sins.
People sin against us because of the wounds in their hearts and the darkness in their souls. The forgiveness that frees us is also the forgiveness that can heal them if we find ways to serve them with the love of Jesus, imitating him in his mercy. He has sent us into their lives to reveal his love to them.
Choosing to forgive and to do good to our enemies is a huge blow to the devil, but there is more victory hidden in the cross than this. By imitating Jesus, we are healed by our union with him. We are resurrected to a higher level of spiritual perfection. Often this process must include help from a good therapist or spiritual director, and this too is a blessing straight from God.
Discover the hidden victory in the crosses you're facing today. Rather than being controlled by the hurt that's been inflicted upon you, and instead of being held on the cross by your anger, worry, fear, frustration, cynicism, or any other bad mood instigated by others, conquer that evil master by choosing to make Jesus your true Master. Follow him: Imitate him. And enjoy your resurrection!
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to: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 as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) 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:Change your addressUnsubscribe