Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Recently I saw a monastery’s vocation poster that I liked. Among a collage of the photos that illustrated their life, the poster read: “No pay. Hard work. Endless Prayer. Priceless reward.” I believe that as people of faith, we want to be challenged. We want to find something in this life that is worth sacrificing for and giving of ourselves. These were the same kinds of challenges that Jesus brought up when he summoned the Apostles: deny yourself, take up your cross, and lose your life for Jesus’ sake and the sake of the Gospel.
Following Jesus requires sacrifice and suffering. In every age, men and women of faith have been called to make sacrifices. “Take up your cross and follow after me.” It doesn’t mean we will necessarily be asked to suffer a martyr’s death. Every generation will be called to make its own specific sacrifices. I think there are ways that each one of us will be called to make certain types of sacrifice or self-denial for our faith.
We have to say “no” to falling into discouragement or despair. In today’s world, which is hostile to family values and faith in God, we will have to “suffer” the hurt when other people, even family and friends, no longer go to church or practice their faith. Being a Christian means being a person of hope. We believe in eternal life with God, where we are free from the sufferings of this world. It is good to live with this eternal perspective before us.
We must sacrifice or say “no” to the desire to lash out in anger when we experience ridicule or persecution. Jesus patiently bore sufferings for our sake. Our patience helps us grow in love.
We have to say “no” to the temptation to stop praying. At times, we will not “feel” like praying, or we might even feel like our prayers are not being answered and that God is silent. But these are not reasons to stop praying. Rather, they are probably reasons why we should be more fervent in prayer.
Let us take up our cross and continue to make room for God in our hearts.
Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections