Luke 10: 1-12 Lambs Among Wolves
Why is it so hard to be good? I immediately heard this answer: “Because sin perverts goodness.” Sin destroys, period. Rebellion always aims upwards; it shoots towards God, futilely missing its target and falling downwards, causing severe damage against our neighbor, our friends, our loved ones. Sin causes collateral damage that harms and poisons even the most intimate of relationships. A married couple must always take a vow that includes the “bad times” because we all know there will be bad times ahead; most of them caused by those three ugly persons, united in one unholy trinity: Me, myself and I.
The more we have sinned against God, the more we will sin against our neighbor; the more we will never enjoy any type of friendship. We will always seek more; desire more and want more! “Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” This is a warning from our Lord. So how do we defend ourselves? What is his solution? “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way…Do not move about from one house to another,…eat and drink what is offered to you.” Seek nothing. Desire nothing. Demand nothing. The Apostle, disciple or friend of God is to give the Good News, freely, without compensation, without reward. Is this not impossible? Yes. “For without me you can do nothing.” An impossible situation can only be resolved by true Love, which includes forgiveness and mercy. God is that true LOVE that must always be added in to all our relationships: husband or wife; sons or daughters; mother and father; mother-in-law or father-in-law; friendship or acquaintance; supplier or customer.
What is the Good News. “You can count on me because I count on Christ.” Or, “You can count on me because I was sent by Christ.” In this world, I might not be able to find a good friend, but I can definitely be one.
Working in a school is not too different than working in an office, which is not too different than working around the world. There is drama! There are conflicts. Here they are: suspicions and doubts, bitterness and frustration, anger and resentment, rejection and manipulation. The list could go on and on. How we and our companions handle difficult moments will always be a good indicator on how we all pray. How we pray will always determine how well we live our lives. The Lamb was necessary to break the cycle of sin. The Lord sends us like sheep among wolves to break the chain into tiny pieces. His words, his promises are all that we need.
We all know that it doesn’t take much to have our spirits crushed or our hearts torn apart on any given day. We also know that it doesn’t take much to break one’s spirits and to ruin their day. The above sentiments are consequences of sin, either my own sin of seeking, desiring or wanting what the Lord does not give; or grabbing and manipulating what the Lord does give. Sin is ugly on both sides of the coin: causing it and receiving it. Dead bodies are found on both sides.
Lord, allow me to “raise you up” in the land of the dead; to speak your words and to live your life. I will give light to those who sin and bring patience to those who seek. I will love those who are deceived and forgiveness to those who deceive. I will be one with You; united to the Cross that brings life everlasting. Amen.
How we and our companions handle difficult moments will always be a good indicator on how we all pray. How we pray will always determine how well we live our lives. could you explain more clearly this statement.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Meditation Father! :)
ReplyDeleteCatherine Ruedi & the 8th grade girls {Isabel, Monica, Linda, Ale, Claudia, Emily {new}, Alyssa, Georgie Girl, Mackenzie, Amanda, Mercedes, Sofia T., Barbara, Stephanie, Dinar, Ceci, & Clare{new}at Highlands simply wanted to say "Hi! And thank you for the meditations and stories!" God bless you - we know that you were at the abortion clinic to make it a "very bad day" for those working at the abortuary. May God convert their hearts to one of flesh from one of stone.
ReplyDeleteTo Dorothy: Thank you for your question. How we handle difficult people and situations will always be a good indicator on how well we pray. That is, if I am strong in prayer, then I will be reminded of the kind of man/woman the Lord wants me to be. He will give me the grace to forgive those who sin against me. I just came back from a talk given by Imaculee Ilibagiza. When she was unable to forgive the murderers of her family members she would often pray the rosary and skip the part "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." If we pray, then we will be strong. If we are strong, then we will be strong in the Lord. How strong and powerful my prayer life is will be determined by how well I survive the trials of the day.
ReplyDeleteIt is so important for a married couple to have God in their marriage! I recently went through a situation in which God had prepared me for over a period of time. He slowly worked on me, cleansed and purified me and led me into a difficult situation. I was able to handle the situation with temperance. And the best part is I was able to share openly and honestly with my spouse about the whole situation. Because we both love God with all our our being we are able to completely forgive and move on. God is great!
ReplyDeleteHi Father Alphonze! Catherine Ruedi misses you soo sosooososos much! Why did you leave..... its no fun anymore!ahhhh,
ReplyDeleteLove Catherine
Father,
ReplyDeleteHow strong and powerful life is will be determined by how well I survive the trials of the day...Amen That is such the truth to live by. Thanks for your continued ministry to all of us...
“Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” This is a warning from our Lord. So how do we defend ourselves? What is his solution? “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way…Do not move about from one house to another,…eat and drink what is offered to you.” Seek nothing. Desire nothing. Demand nothing. The Apostle, disciple or friend of God is to give the Good News, freely, without compensation, without reward. Is this not impossible? Yes. “For without me you can do nothing.”
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a test or an opportunity to show us that we can do nothing without Him. It seems that He not only expects us to rid ourselves of our own wants and desires, to have complete faith and trust in Him, to be completely self giving, holding nothing back and not to expect anything in return. And, to make sure we’ve REALLY handed the reins over to Him, He ties a pork chop around our necks and puts us in a den with wild dogs.
This is a tall order. It will take a huge amount of grace to accomplish. And I’m guessing this stuff about sin perverting goodness is somehow a reference to the gap between us and the grace we need to accomplish this monumental task.
I’m sure I’m missing something. I don’t understand what you are saying here:
“An impossible situation can only be resolved by true Love, which includes forgiveness and mercy. God is that true LOVE that must always be added in to all our relationships:…”
I have gone over this and over this in my head and I’m so confused.
How does true Love with forgiveness and mercy accomplish the above situation?
I’m sure it does, it seems to be the answer to all the problems, but I’m missing it:(
Dear Catherine in Christ,
ReplyDeleteI miss you sosososososososo much too! :-) You and your family are always in my prayers. Hope to see you soon either at St. Joseph or St. Ann. God bless you! My best to all the 8th graders at THS!!!
I am trying to wrap my head around that too. Does it mean that what seems as an impossible situation can be overcome because God is in and directing that situation? And since He is in that situation and directing it, He will show mercy and forgiveness?
ReplyDeleteOh, how I desire God's true love full of forgiveness and mercy! I keep fighting it. I am always trying to control the direction of my life thinking I know better than God. I guess it is time I just totally surrender and let Him take control and lead me to His true love.
ReplyDeleteFather Alfonse you are so correct it doesnt take much to crush our spirits or foor us to crush someone else and that why we have to pray the our Father and say forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us your homiles have really helped me so much that i actually look forward to going to mass again
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