From the Deacon’s Desk: Prayer and Inspirational Thoughts
November 10 – Thirty-second Sunday Ordinary Time
Our readings this week are about belief and hope. Belief in what we have been taught and hope in the resurrection. Our hope is based on a deep faith and trust in a loving God as the Source and Goal of all living. It is a confidence of one day experiencing something which is at present beyond our grasp. Paul tells us throughout his letters the importance of preparing for this time. He says in the second reading: “We are confident that what we instruct you, you are doing and will continue to do.” What we are instructed to do is to follow Jesus in faith and total trust, accepting what he gives us and calls us to. Perseverance, trust and steadfastness are the cornerstones of our belief.
If we truly believe that the resurrection – which God gave to us as the ultimate reflection of his love for us – is our hope for eternity, then his other teachings – which we receive through the Liturgy of the Word – provide the doorway through which we realize that hope. And the very being of Jesus – which we receive every time we celebrate the Eucharist – connects us completely to that hope driving us to a response which prepares us for the reality to come. We realize the hope of the resurrection through the choices we make in this life.
As Vincentians, as we confront difficult challenges in our own lives and the lives of others, we continually face the questions – Do you believe, do we trust, do we have hope? How faithful are you to God and His will for us and others? How do you honor our beliefs and live them out in daily life? Do you serve the poor without prejudice or judgement? Do you find yourself able to look past the injustices of this world to the mercy of heaven? Do you find yourself embracing those you serve in love? The answer to these questions may be your best indicator of how fully you believe in the hope of the resurrection.
Lord Jesus, help my unbelief that I may come to believe, that I may come to trust, and that I may come to submit fully to your will for my life and others. Allow me to share your love with all those I meet without judgement or prejudice. Let mercy be my guide that it may also be my salvation. Give me the grace and courage to embrace your hope and to be a reflection of that hope to those you bring before me. We pray all of this in your name. Amen
Deacon Mike