Praying with Saint John's Gospel: Daily Reflections on the Gospel of Saint John by Magnificat

Author:Magnificat [Magnificat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781936260775
Publisher: Magnificat
Published: 2013-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

JULY 1

Getting It Right

Monsignor Gregory E. S. Malovetz

Again there was a division among the Jews because of [Jesus'] words. Many of them said, "He is possessed and out of his mind; why listen to him?" Others said, "These are not the words of one possessed; surely a demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?" (Jn 10:19-21)

Shortly after Christmas I stopped in a department store to buy a small item. As I went to check out, I was stunned at the long line. I soon realized the line was not for purchases, but for exchanges and returns. The area became crowded with people getting in the wrong lines, so one of the customers began to direct traffic. At one point she looked at the long line, looked at me, and asked, "Can you believe that many people got it wrong?"

You may have the talent to pick out just the right gift. The challenge of life, however, is whether we understand and live the gift that Jesus offers us each day. Many people in his time cannot believe this message Jesus lives. All this talk of God's care and a flock that includes even the most unloved is too much for them. Rather than embrace the message Jesus offers, they rigidly hold on to what is safe and predictable. It is easier to dismiss Jesus as crazy instead of looking at how his message could change them.

The work of a disciple is to embrace the message and live it. It is our life's work to try and get it right. That does not mean we have to become theological giants. It does mean we have to open our hearts to Jesus who says that he desires to be your shepherd, even when you are possessed by other things.

Sometimes we are possessed by anger or disappointment. We get busy and distracted. Those are the moments when Jesus will be found with his gifts of love and grace. Sometimes we may want to return those gifts, thinking there may be something better. Our eyes are opened when we realize these are the gifts that are worth keeping, because the shepherd we follow is that good.

Loving Father, open my eyes to your presence so that I will always be possessed by your love.

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