Sunday Reflections

While imprisoned in the Tower of London for his religious beliefs in the late 1600s, the Quaker, William Penn wrote a discourse entitled: No Cross, No Crown, which was a reflection on the nature of Christianity and suffering on the way to heaven.  The other verses conveyed similar thoughts: No thorns, no thrones; no gall, no glory; no pain, no palms.  In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus brings fire to the earth, shattering the sanguine, meek, and mild image of him that is often portrayed in art and music.  The bottom line is, there are no shortcuts to heaven. and the way there will never be easy.  In fact, by its very nature, to believe in Jesus will mean walking in his footsteps to Calvary.  We may not like it, but that’s the way it is. There can be no resurrection without death.

So, on the way, we will be challenged to love our enemies and be good to them.  We will be asked to be generous to those in need, both from our hands and from our hearts.  We will be called to walk the extra mile with those on our shared journey and pray and care for the sick.  In short, we will be called to make this a better world.  And, yes, it may mean forcing ourselves to go to Mass on Sunday when sleeping in or heading to the cottage seems so much more inviting.

Rather than peace, following in the footsteps of Jesus will often bring division rather than healing or reconciliation.  In the end, there will be judgment. The judgment will be ruled and guided by how much we have loved. The sheep will be separated from the goats (Matt 25).  To be honest, many days, I wish there was another way, but there isn’t.  But, with God’s help and the guidance of the Spirit, we will finish our journey home.  Then, it will be time to sit down and rest. In the meantime, one day at a time, that’s all God gives us.