Today we have the story of the prophetess Anna who was in
the right place at the right time and recognized Jesus, the Messiah, being
brought to the Temple for circumcision and His mother presenting her self to
fulfill the purification rites prescribed by the Law of Moses. Yesterday, I had asked Jesus for the grace to
be in the right place at the right time to recognize Jesus as He presented
Himself to me through the events of the day.
A situation arose in which a needy person needed help. I was asked if I
would help out, as each member of the staff was too busy to respond to this
unscheduled need. I erupted—where were the persons assigned to this ministry of
hospitality, I asked. Grudgingly, I
responded and later when more demands were placed upon me that I did not
expect, I erupted in anger.
In prayer later, I said to the Lord: I asked to recognize
you in the situations and encounters of this day and when a needy person needed
help and my routine, my agenda, my day were interrupted, I erupted! Lord, you revealed your will that I reach out
to help a person in need and I rejected it.
Give me feedback, Lord.
Dorothy Ann, you are
right. It was an opportunity to help a
person in need. You failed, though you did it. You did it grudgingly without
joy or gratitude. There is sin in you—a streak
of selfishness and pride. You were “generous” on your terms.
Jesus, help me. What do I need to learn from this so I am
predisposed in the future to be helpful
to those who are helpless?
Pause and call upon me
before reacting so that you can respond with patience, wisdom, generosity and
joy. I will always arm you with these gifts of the Holy Spirit when you call
upon me. As with Mary, in difficult situations, the Holy Spirit will overshadow you. Remember, Dorothy Ann, faith in action always
involves sacrifice. Trust that when you are being asked to do something on
behalf of others that it will include
sacrifice—I gave my life for you—and sacrificial love always leads to an
unforeseen good. Remember, too, that living your faith always includes
surrender, sacrifice, trust, letting go of your right to yourself.
Thank you, Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment