Friday April 19, 2024

We are sent forth to take risks

Good News Reflections:
Making scripture meaningful to your daily life
by Terry Modica


“We must never underestimate the impact that we can make when we follow Christ into unknown circumstances.”


Good News Reflection for:

Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
April 19, 2024

Today’s Prayer:

Beloved Jesus, forgive me for not getting closer to You with the intensity and desire that You expect from me. Thank You for always waiting for me at the tabernacle. Amen.

SaintsSubscribe to Today’s Saint Quote & Prayer:
gnm.org/SaintQuotes/

Today’s Readings:

Acts 9:1-20
Ps 117:1bc-2 (with Mark 16:15)
John 6:52-59
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041924.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-april-19-2024

Taking risks for the Lord

[ Listen to the podcast of this reflection ]

In our first reading today, Judas and Ananias take an extraordinary risk because of their love for the Lord and their ability to listen — really listen — to him. They helped a fanatically prejudiced, dangerous enemy. And thus they played a significant role in changing the world.

How would we respond if Jesus were to appear to us in a vision and tell us to help a Muslim extremist? What if Jesus had already converted the Muslim’s heart? Are our prayer lives so brief and weak that we would think this can’t be real?

Let’s make this question easier: What if the Holy Spirit gives us a vision of Jesus telling us, “Go to the house of your neighbor. He’s got a visitor there and I want you to minister to him.” Would we trust the vision? Would we stop what we’re doing and go?

Visions were normal for Christians for many centuries. Then the Age of Enlightenment and scientific inquiry dictated that everything has to be proven by repeatable, empirical studies or else it cannot be true. The supernatural became viewed as mere superstition.

Okay, let’s say we’re willing to give it a try. We’ll knock on the neighbor’s door, just to see if he’s got a visitor. But what if Jesus, during the vision, says that he wants to work through us to provide a miraculous healing? Is this too much? Too doubtful? Or do we reply: “Jesus, if you want it, then he’ll be healed as you say.”

Ananias went despite fears and logic. He and Judas were the first Christians to befriend and forgive Saul (renamed Paul). Because they trusted Jesus more than their own perspectives and ideas, they were Paul’s first experience of true Christianity.

We must never underestimate the impact that we can make when we follow Christ into unknown, unpredictable, unreasonable and even scary circumstances. What has he been asking you to do that you’ve been resisting? Your act of faith might be the first step in a long, hugely important plan of God. We must never underestimate how essential we are.

Jesus says in today’s Gospel reading that his Flesh is bread from heaven. By consuming his Flesh and Blood in the Eucharist at Mass, we renew our participation in God’s salvation plan for the world. Just as Jesus risked everything to heal our souls and lead us to heaven, so too are we sent forth from Mass to take risks with him, carrying his healing and salvation to others.

Okay, what if Jesus tells us that the person we’re to visit at our neighbor’s house is our ex-spouse? Or the father who abused us? Or the employer who makes our job miserable? Or that other person who makes us angry or fearful?

“Say what? You can’t be serious!”

Jesus says, “Go!”

To help you reflect further on this, go to our Faith Boosters: “Where love exists, it works great things” @ wordbytes.org/faith-booster-minis/where-love-exists.

© 2024 by Terry A. Modica

Access more in our new Calendar of Reflections.


for church bulletin and RCIA To distribute the Good News Reflections in your church bulletin or in RCIA or faith sharing groups, please contact us.


Telegram texting You can also receive this & more faith-builders by text message on your phone.


home page Keep it going! This reflection reached you thanks to benefactors. Please support this ministry today.


post a prayer request Post your prayer request.


home page How else can we serve you today? Visit our homepage.


More Good News Reflections Search more reflections in our continually growing database.


Homebound, Prison & Hospital Ministers are invited to print and distribute them without further permission.


Continue your prayer time with these:
Pray with Saints | Pray the Rosary | Other Prayers | Random Quotes.

 

Order and share Terry Modica's books

Terry's books, The Father's Heart, and My Soul Shall Be Healed

Socialize with us at:
Facebook   Pinterest   Twitter   Instagram

Please share this with others by inviting them to visit this page. You may also print this for your personal use and you may share the print-out with others.

image_print

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *