MY daily reflection and prayer:
Friday, October 14, 2016
Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 12: 1-7
At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven– that is, the hypocrisy– of the Pharisees. There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN today’s Gospel Jesus Christ speaks of having no fear of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. It means that if we encounter a situation in which we must either be faithful to Jesus Christ or cave in to pressure, we should never hesitate. Do not be afraid!
St. Ignatius of Antioch writes in his Letter to the Romans, “I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God”. There he is connecting between his martyrdom as wheat ground by the teeth of wild beasts and the Eucharist, the pure bread of God.
The Catholic Church teaches us that the Eucharist is the most complete worship given to God the Father. It is Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of his body on the Cross, and it is his Resurrection from death to eternal life.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, while adoring Jesus Christ we offer our struggles and challenges of each day in order to remain united with Christ. There we also ask him to give us the courage to keep following him even in the face of temptation.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to have confidence and trust in you like St. Ignatius of Antioch. Give us the courage to keep following you even in the face of temptation now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
