Our Relationship with Jesus and Others

In today's first reading, 1 Tim 1; 15-17, Paul says to Timothy: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.  ...[F]or this reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life."

Would you, would I, in evangelizing by our relationship with Jesus, admit that we are the "foremost" sinner? We may acknowledge that we have been "treated mercifully," but would we really admit that we have sinned above all?  Let us also ponder the thought that Christ's patience with me, with you, is an "example for those who would come to believe in...[Christ] for everlasting life."

Wow! May your mercy toward me, Lord, lead others to you! And, in turn, may I show mercy towards others as you show mercy to me every single day!

God's humble and generous response to our grumbling

In today’s first reading, Exodus 16: 1-5, 9-15, the Israelites are complaining to Moses that he brought them out into the desert to die of famine. God hears their grumbling—how quickly they forgot that God was delivering them from slavery—and responds with raining “down bread from heaven.”  He instructs Moses to give the people the following message:  “Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.”  He also instructs Moses to “[t]ell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you  may know that I, the Lord, am your God.”

When people grumble against me, treat me scornfully, turn against me, the last thing I want to do is “rain down bread from heaven” upon them.  How unlike God I can be! God teaches me in this passage that there is another way that leads to freedom and grace: that of generosity, humility, and understanding.  Humans can be cantankerous individuals. God knew that but does not stoop down to their level.  I pray that I, too, will rise up to the occasion and, in humility, respond to others as the Spirit in me wants to respond, not in accord with the ego’s desire for revenge. May I also have the humility to “present myself to the Lord,” for He knows that when I am in grumpy mood and need “refueling.”

How about you?