Readings:
Romans 4:1 – 8
Luke 12: 1 – 7
Reflection:
The Presence of Our Loving God
St. Paul of the Cross, whose feast we have just celebrated, was very insistent on reminding people to often be conscious of the Presence of God. Especially when the brothers came to do meditation, they were to begin with a lively remembrance of the presence of God who surrounds us constantly and for whom all are present to Him.
I am reminded of this by the Gospel today from St. Luke. At first, Jesus warns his disciples against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. If we seek to please our great and good God who knows us and loves us, then we will not be putting on a false front. God sees me as I am – warts and all!
Then Jesus warns his disciples: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” But then Jesus tells us to have a holy fear of God alone who has the power to cast into hell. In other words, we should fear to lose our loving relationship to God through serious sin – or indeed by any sin. But Jesus tells us that God cares for each of us intimately.
“There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows!”
Jesus urges us to have a filial trust in God who knows each of us through and through and loves each of us as his dear children!
I should not worry what other people think of me. Let me seek to please my Loving and Good God – who always holds me gently in his loving hands. During this day, let me often be conscious of the Presence of so wonderful and Good God!
Pat McIndoe CP, a Passionist at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Boroko, Port Moresby