St. Therese, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” - Tomorrow's reading reflection

“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

Are you surprised to see two of Jesus' disciples praying for the destruction of a Samaritan village? The Jews and Samaritans had been divided for centuries. Jewish pilgrims who passed through Samaritan territory were often assaulted. Jesus did the unthinkable for a Jew. He not only decided to travel through Samaritan territory at personal risk, but he also asked for hospitality in one of their villages! Jesus' offer of friendship was rebuffed. Is there any wonder that the disciples were indignant and felt justified in wanting to see retribution done to this village? Wouldn't you respond the same way? Jesus, however, rebukes his disciples for their lack of toleration.  Jesus had "set his face toward Jerusalem" to die on a cross that Jew, Samaritan and Gentile might be reconciled with God and be united as one people in Christ.

Tolerance is a much needed virtue today. But aren't we often tolerant for the wrong thing or for the wrong motive? Christian love seeks the highest good of both one's neighbor and one's enemy. When Abraham Lincoln was criticized for his courtesy and tolerance towards his enemies during the American Civil War, he responded: "Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" How do you treat those who cross you and cause you trouble? Do you seek their good rather than their harm?

(Adapted from Don Schwager)

Master to miracle worker, Self-assured to humble - Tomorrow's reading reflection

“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”

Simon was wearied from a night of fruitless toil, he nonetheless did what the Lord Jesus told him to do: At your word I will let down the nets. When you meet disappointment and failure, do you listen to and respond to the Lord, like Simon, even if you doubt a solution can be attained?  "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets."  Simon Peter went from seeing Jesus as Master to Jesus as Miracle Worker.  And as he did so, his disposition became one of repentance and humility.  "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."  To which Jesus responded, "Do not be afraid..."

This incident tells us an important truth about how God works in and through each of us for his glory. God expects of us greater things than we can do by ourselves. When we cooperate in his works, we accomplish far beyond what we can do on our own. Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun who died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four, wrote to a friend: "Jesus has so incomprehensible a love for us that he wills that we have a share with him in the salvation of souls. He wills to do nothing without us. The Creator of the universe awaits the prayer of a poor little soul to save other souls redeemed like it at the price of all his Blood."

(Adapted from Don Schwager)