As we consider the readings for
the day, I want to draw emphasis on two main points and pose two fundamental
questions:
First, where do we find
joy in the world and where do we create conditions to be joyful and for those
around us to be joyful? Our
spirits can either be animated and joyful such that we become inspirations of
hope and joyfulness or we can, even though we tend to deny it, be animating forces
for sadness, negativity and sorrow. We have a choice in the attitudes we emit
into the world. Let us choose to promote compassion, love and mercy even in the
midst of some very distinct challenges. Remember that in IS 65: 17-21, we hear
that “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth…[where] there will be
rejoicing and happiness…” We have the power to create communities where
hopefulness becomes the norm, where love is made manifest and where compassion
and mercy are part of everyday living.
Second, in JN 4:43-54, we read
that “when he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him.” If Jesus emerged in our midst today
would we welcome him? What would it mean to welcome the person
who shared with us the Beatitudes; who told us: “Truly I tell you, whatever you
did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”; and, who
said, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Have we
sanitized and branded Jesus such that we would not recognize him in our midst
or such that we might be inclined to crucify him?
Let us pray that we will have the
courage to do the right thing even, and mostly, when inconvenient. It is easy
to enact our values when there is no sacrifice involved; it is much more
difficult to go against the grain when sacrifice is necessary. Jesus epitomized
the importance of sacrifice. Are we following his example?
Miguel
Martinez-Saenz, PhD
President
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| If Jesus emerged in our midst today would we welcome him? |
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