Wednesday, 27th week in Ordinary Time
October 10, 2018: Gal 2: 1-2, 7-14; Lk 11:1-4
We continue to hear from Paul the beginnings of his ministry in the Church. Both his account and Jesus' teaching in the Gospel speak to us of a set of qualities that can be called a Reign mentality. Let's highlight just three of them:
Personal integrity that gives Paul an extraordinary power when he presents his case to the people or to the apostles. In the letter to the Galatians today, St. Paul narrates that incident when he had to challenge Peter on his integrity: "If you, though a Jew, are living like a gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the gentiles to live like Jews?" Unless I am an integral person, I cannot speak of the Reign with authority.
Fearlessness that comes from the absolute dedication that a person has. When I have accepted God as my Father and Mother, nothing do I need to fear - nothing, neither hunger nor thirst, nor suffering or persecution, nor threat or even death can frighten me! Because, nothing matters more than the Reign and hence there is nothing that can stop me from holding on to it, not even a threat to my life.
Forgiving Confrontations which help one to avoid self righteousness and compromise at the same time. At times our very idea of standing for truth and siding with the right, though an absolute reign-requirement, can drive people far from us. I need mercy not sacrifice, says the Lord. Confrontations are important but with that love that underlies, not with judgments that puts others down and unconsciously leads me to self righteousness.
Lord, may your Reign come!