Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: September 27, 200926th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/September/26thB.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:Num 11:25-29Ps 19:8, 10, 12-14James 5:1-6Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48http://www.usccb.org/nab/092709.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_27.mp3
Jesus says in next Sunday's Gospel reading that whoever is not against us is for us. There are many surprises in the kingdom of God, especially when dealing with people.
On the one hand, it can seem like someone is against us when really they are not. For example, if the person is speaking a truth that we don't want to hear, they seem to be our enemy while in fact they are God's chosen prophet.
At other times, people side with us but only for their own agenda; they're not interested in assisting the purposes that God has for our lives.
And sometimes we encounter people who are doing the Lord's work but not in the way that we expect them to, and so we assume that they are not doing what God wants them to do. Have you ever asked someone to pray for a certain intention and he/she prayed the opposite of what you intended?
Years ago, when my husband's company was laying off most of its employees, I asked a friend to pray for him to find a new job, but she prayed instead for the company so that he wouldn't have to leave it. My expectations were for him to find a healthier company in which to work. I didn't like her prayer, but in the end, I realized that she was the only friend who had prayed exactly what the Lord wanted!
To figure out whether someone is truly against us or is, in fact, God's instrument for us, we have to separate ourselves from the heat and frustrations of the experience and sit quietly with Jesus. After we vent to him our fears and anger and then forgive those who seem to be against us, we will be open to hearing a more divine assessment of the situation.
Even when someone truly is acting against us, when we sit quietly in prayer, seeking a word of knowledge or wisdom from the Holy Spirit, we can discover that God is for us and that's what matters most. He gives us encouragement and strength to endure any troubles.
Questions for Personal Reflection:Who is telling you something that you don't like hearing? Is it possible that the Lord is speaking through this person? Whom have you trusted that turned out to be a false friend or a bad influence which harmed your faith? Who has been an unexpected instrument of the Lord on your spiritual journey?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:When have you been startled to discover that someone who didn't seem to be "of the Lord" was really doing the Lord's work? What did the Lord accomplish through this unexpected source? What did you learn from it?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 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... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
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 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:Change your addressUnsubscribe
No comments:
Post a Comment