Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves.” I’m sorry, what? Why would you do that, Lord? “You will be hated by all because of me.” Well, at least you are upfront about it…
Nevertheless, for all the throwing-the-lambs-to-the-wolves talk, Christ Jesus does not leave us defenseless. First, He gives us the Holy Spirit to give us the words we need, and therefore we should not agonize about having perfect arguments. Second, we should actually be a kind of wolf in sheep’s clothing: “be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” When threatened, we should take a breath, not become a bomb-thrower; instead, be stealthy and quick like snakes, and the Spirit will perfect our work.
When we think of the saints, we know that they are pure of heart but also not shrinking violets. To be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves always reminds me of this sort of mission statement of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta:
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered…
Love them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives…
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies…
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today, will be forgotten tomorrow…
Do good anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you…
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight…
Build anyway.
If you find happiness and serenity, some may be jealous…
Be happy anyway.
Give the best you have and it will never be enough…
Give your best anyway.
Always remember it was between you and God, it was never between you and them anyway.
Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections