Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” Oftentimes, we are called to do what we at first do not want to do or are maybe just too scared to do. At the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was in anguish and asked for the cup of suffering to be taken from him but he desired obedience over fear and said to his Father, “not my will but yours be done.” He did this because he knew that the will of the one who sent him, the God and Father of all, would bring about salvation and peace to all through his suffering. He, therefore, found the courage to embrace the Cross out of obedience to the Father and love of humanity.
We can find the courage to live out our call to obedience by following the example of Christ. We must come to him in prayer when our suffering seems too great just as Jesus came to his Father. We must allow Christ to strengthen us and help us take up our cross. It is true that, for now, we are a people away from the Bridegroom, and so we are in the great “fast.” But we have the knowledge and faith that we will one day be with the bridegroom who gives us the courage and strength to take up the cross and follow after him.
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections