This Sunday's Mass Readings: 2/5/06

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fidelis
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
The sufferings of Job are filled with hopelessness. If we just sit back and allow ourselves to be crushed we become like many in our society today who, without God, think they would be better off dead than have no ‘quality’ of life. All those who are pro-euthanasia for instance.

The people of Capernaum crowded Jesus looking for a quick-fix. That’s a human response and when we are ill we might go to Jesus asking for a cure. If it happens, how are we going to behave? Are we just going to go on with our lives, getting up to all sorts of useless and maybe even sinful activity? Or will we turn our lives around and spend the rest of it doing God’s work.

When I was a child and complained about something, the answer I usually received was “Offer it up!” Offer my sufferings up for the conversion of sinners (especially me), in reparation for the offences against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

When we ask God to fix something that is hurtful in our lives, we should submit as Jesus did at Gethsemane “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

“God, in Your loving mercy, please heal me, but if it is not Thy Will, then I unite my suffering with the suffering of Jesus Christ for Your greater glory.”
 
I was really struck by St. Paul’s letter today. His imagery really resonated with me. Prior to Mass beginning, I was asked by my priest to take on a responsibility that I was unsure if I could handle, yet my priest asked me to do it, so I agreed. My husband pointed out that what St. Paul said about “I made myself a slave to all…I have become all things to all, to save at least some” really applies to the situation I found myself in. It also could be applied to the way I have lived my life. Much of what I do now, I do because others have asked me, serving on the PCCW board, teaching PSR, reading at Mass. I’m trying to more fully understand that I exist as “the handmaid of the Lord,” I must make myself a slave to Him, in order to do His will, to help Him to “save at least some.”

I’ve always felt that something was wrong with me–in this modern culture in the U.S., we’re supposed to be go getters, making big plans, reaching for those things that we want. I’ve never been that way. Maybe I’m just lazy, but I’ve unconsciously, and now consciously, look to God for my direction. We must make ourselves a slave to God’s will for us. That doesn’t mean just sitting around doing nothing, but actively paying attention, spending time in prayer so that we may take the opportunities He wants us to, so that we may do what He wants.
 
40.png
aurora77:
I’ve always felt that something was wrong with me–in this modern culture in the U.S., we’re supposed to be go getters, making big plans, reaching for those things that we want. I’ve never been that way. Maybe I’m just lazy, but I’ve unconsciously, and now consciously, look to God for my direction. We must make ourselves a slave to God’s will for us. That doesn’t mean just sitting around doing nothing, but actively paying attention, spending time in prayer so that we may take the opportunities He wants us to, so that we may do what He wants.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean. I used to wonder about it until I came across something by one of the early Church Fathers about this being a “land of unlikeness.” The more uncomfortable we are living in this world, the more comfortable we will be in Heaven.

As St. Paul said, “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top