Photo by Fionn Claydon on Unsplash
I remember a homily one time where the priest said something like this: “If the gospel does not make you uncomfortable at times, then perhaps you have never heard the gospel.”
The gospel has some hard demands. Love your enemies. Pray for your persecutors. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him your left. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. Wow.
There is a story about Mother Teresa that is recounted when she attended a dinner. I do not know if it is true, but I like the sentiment, so bear with me. It seems a person was invited to the dinner who had never met Mother Teresa and was very excited. During the meal, he very excitedly kept talking to Mother Teresa. At one point, it was said he asked her how it was that she dealt with a lack of success, since there were still so many poor in the world.
Throughout his talking, Mother Teresa did not say anything. But after this comment, she put down her fork, looked at him, and said this. “God did not call be to be successful. God called me to be faithful.”
I do get uncomfortable with the gospel. There are things in it I do not always like to hear. When someone comes to the door of our priory, asking for money or help, I wonder if it is Jesus at the door. When I get really angry at a situation or a person, I do not like having to ask myself if I have prayed for this individual. I become uncomfortable when I am in a situation where I must stand up for the truth, knowing many others will oppose me.
Today, ask yourself when the gospel makes you uncomfortable. And ask God for the grace to really hear it.
Let us pray.
Dear Jesus, we know that living and sharing the gospel can be very difficult. Sometimes we allow our faith to be reduced to reciting the things we like to hear, things that make us comfortable. Help us to really hear your words in our heart and to act on them. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Music: Cheezy Piano Medley by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4833-cheezy-piano-medley
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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