Daily Meditation - Monday 11th. Feb 2008 - EFFORTS/RESULTS

[BarbaraTherese]

DAILY MASS READINGS
usccb.org/nab/021108.shtml

Further Reflection:
ocarm.org/lectio/annoA_eng/061eng.htm

Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=02&day=11&year=2008&x=5&y=4
One thing did strike me as I read this meditation. Sometimes we make real efforts in some good direction or another - perhaps even in a few directions. Despite all this we see no real results and perhaps not in the results we had hoped and expected. I think I need to be able to act well in all things with a spirit of detachment - of not needing to see results and of being trustfully confident in The Lord that they are happening anyway. Sometimes I tend to think needing to have and see results taints good works with something akin to the mercenary. The parable of the Sower of The Seed is worth a ponder in this direction.

What a beautiful image—Jesus coming in glory to bring all his faithful children fully into his kingdom. Well, guess what? We’re going to see something like that happen in just a few weeks, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus—the revelation of his glory and his triumph over sin and death.

So how can we get ready for the glory of the Lord? Today’s Gospel gives us a simple plan: by feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, visiting the sick, being generous with the poor, and showing mercy to those in prison.

In other words, we can get ready for Jesus by being Jesus in the world. Not only does this help get us ready for the Lord. It moves the people around us to do the same by inspiring them to spread the love of Christ to even more people!

Because they thought that Jesus was coming back right away, the first Christians were very generous with their time and resources. They didn’t consider material goods of great value, because they thought that the end of the world was just around the corner. Consequently, they created a strong sense of community—a community that brought Jesus to life for other people.

The same can happen with us.

We too can bring Jesus to life for others as we offer them the love and generosity of the Lord

. We can have the same effect that the early Christians had—

after all, Jesus just might return tomorrow!

• Perhaps we can make an effort not to hold on to our possessions so closely.
• When we let go, even just a little, and help someone else, we actually do bring the kingdom of God closer to earth.
• So give, serve, and love all in the name of Jesus,
  and watch him work wonders,
  both in your heart and
  in the hearts
  of those around you.

“Jesus, I want to be open to your directions on how to use my time and talents to prepare for your revelation on Easter Sunday. Lord, I want to be a witness to your glory and your victory over sin and death.”