Good News Reflection FOR NEXT SUNDAY: July 18, 2010 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Good News Reflection
FOR NEXT SUNDAY: July 18, 2010
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA:
For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection,
please go to Catholic Digital Resources:
http://catholicdr.com/calendar/July/16thC.htm- Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:
Gen 18:1-10a
Ps 15:1-5
Col 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42
http://www.usccb.org/nab/071810.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_07_18.mp3
In next Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to us about our anxieties and worries. They distract us. They're harmful to us if we let them control our lives, because they take our eyes off our Lord and focus us on what's going wrong and how it might get worse.
Mary chose the "better part"; she didn’t let anything distract her from being a disciple learning avidly from Jesus. When we make the time to put aside the busyness of life to sit quietly and learn from Jesus, we discover reasons why our worries aren't really so worrisome.
Only as we sit quietly at the feet of Jesus do we find hope that overcomes despair, peace that conquers anxiety, and wisdom that gets us through trials. Even the littlest worry, such as Martha's concern that her kitchen chores wouldn't get done, is a sin when it takes our eyes off of Jesus. Nothing that distracts us from Jesus is ever good for us.
We cannot grow in holiness when we're not watching Jesus and learning from him how to be holy. We cannot love as he loves nor receive all the love he gives us unless we have a prayer life that includes quiet time alone with him, drinking up his lessons and his loving embrace. Prayers said while driving and listening to homilies isn't enough.
Anxieties and worries are varying degrees of fear: We’re afraid that something bad is going to happen. Even when there’s a legitimate reason to worry, fear blocks our view of Jesus, because it turns us away from him. We need to recognize fear as a warning flag telling us to slow down, quiet down, and sit down with Jesus for a good discussion on whatever it is that's bothering us. He's got the answers, the encouragement, the affirmation that will bring us peace.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What lessons is Jesus is trying to teach you in those situations? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you learn from Jesus. Search the bible for additional inspiration.
Questions for Family & Community Faith Sharing:
What are some of the ways we can slow down our lives and improve our prayer times? Tell the story of an experience you had when quiet prayer relieved an anxiety or solved a problem.
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org
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http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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