Sunday Reflections

I write this reflection in Rome during the 34th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a grace-filled time to be gathered at this Chapter with delegates representing Resurrectionists from all over the world: Canada, U.S.A., Poland, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Australia, Tanzania, Germany, Austria, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Israel, Slovenia, and Italy. It is a time to celebrate the ways that we see the presence of God in our community and the hand of God in our ministry. It is also a time for us to face the failures that come from our timidity in spreading the gospel because of our brokenness and a fear of the cost of service and sacrifice.

The Gospel reading reminds us that all is in God’s hands. God who cares for the little sparrow and knows the number of hairs on our heads, is one in whom we can confidently place our trust. Why? Because God loves us and will never forget us, just like a mother can never forget her child! Like Jeremiah, who risked his life to deliver an unpopular message, which brought him persecution and suffering, we must remember that God is on our side like a mighty champion defending the lot of those who are poor in heart.

Each of us struggles to carry out God’s plan for us when the demands of this call involve suffering and self-sacrifice. It demands courage or fortitude to stay the course, especially in long-term situations, such as the care of a sick child or elderly parent. It also demands trust that we do not do this alone. Indeed, we have a mighty champion at our side, who in great love, is with us always until the end of time.