Daily Reflection for Monday, July 13, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners!
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071320.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Isaiah 1:10-17
Responsorial: Psalm 50:8-9, 16 BC-17, 21 and 23
Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
“…and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38)
Have you ever had a cross that you really did not want to carry? Maybe the real question is, “Why would I ever want to carry a cross if I didn’t have to do so?”
Jesus’ words today make me stop to reflect on my faith walk. I try to put myself into this passage and become one of the disciples, who literally left all behind to follow Him. Knowing a little about human nature leads me to believe that they too had moments of doubt or concern regarding their course. Yet, they continued to carry their crosses and follow Him.
There are many examples of crosses in this Gospel to consider. As I reflect upon the meaning of “crosses,” I keep coming to the thought of my “ordinary.” I sense that God is not asking me to pick up some extra heavy weight that I find present in the world around me or to add a degree of difficulty to my day. Rather God asks me simply to carry what I have been given in life and to do so with Him in the lead and in my center.
So that disagreement I had with my husband; carry it and pray. The medical concern that requires some more follow-up or procedures; carry it and pray. The job that results in stress and worry; carry it and pray. The parenting decisions I need to make this week; carry them and pray. The opportunities to bear witness to my faith in my every day; carry them and pray
No one proclaims and nowhere does it say that the road will be easy. Being worthy of a relationship with God is simple, but direct. No pretenses, no hidden clauses or secret handshakes. We truly are not given more than we can handle if we choose to handle it while following Christ.
Jesus died for our sins on His cross and all He asks of us is to let Him guide us on the journey. We come to Him for guidance and the graces we need. So often I perceive that someone else’s cross is lighter than mine, but upon closer scrutiny I realize that my cross is exactly the right size for me and that in the end I would not trade it for ones that others are carrying.
Why would I want to carry a cross? Because it leads me deeper into my relationship with God.
In Heartfelt Joy,
Lynne Brennan