Readings:
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Luke 5: 33-39
Reflection:
How often do we make a judgment on others or how often do we criticise or judge ourselves, instead of trustingly placing actions or decisions under the loving and understanding gaze of the Lord?
Our worth is not measured by actions but rather by the intent of our heart … and sometimes only the Lord knows the full depth of our struggles and our motivations. It seems to me that this is a basic insight into true servant ministry.
It is often easier to stay with old habits or ways of thinking about ourselves or others, non-threatening and comfortable. Yet over time, we are challenged to change … to take up new ways of thinking and acting … new ways of being ourselves ‘in Christ’. Such change and understanding of self are inevitable because over time the ‘old ways’ just don’t work or fit any more.
Our challenge is to face the denial, the reluctance, the fear … and to ‘let go’ even when we haven’t yet discerned what is to come … and to trust in the love and faithfulness of our Lord, Master of our heart, who will never fail us.
Slowly gentle Wisdom will infiltrate our awareness and insight about our life will begin to burn brightly in us again. As heart and mind expand with new possibilities, so shall we feel energy to face life before us. In the ‘in-between’ time, let us be gently present to self and others, as our new wine matures …
Pam Storey is a member of the Passionist Faith Community at Holy Cross, Templestowe, and one of the founding members of Passionist Companions. After a very active and varied family, church and working life, Pam is now focusing on developing a slow spirituality.