Our readings today are disturbing on many levels, aren’t they? The first reading talks about the Jews falling from favored status in Egypt to becoming oppressed and entering enslavement. The Gospel tells us that Jesus did not come to bring peace. We probably want Jesus to bring peace to us here on earth. We probably want our faith to bring us peace on a personal level as well. Yet, perhaps Jesus is telling us that discipleship is not going to be a peaceful easy road for us. Being a disciple is hard work that is going to entail struggle and challenges.
Our reality in our country, our world, and our Church is a reality of division. I drive down Capital Street or Bailey Avenue or Medgar Evers Blvd on my way into down Jackson and I don’t see peace. Being disciples in the midst of this reality can definitely be countercultural. Even trying to get the priests and the parishes of the Jackson area to work together is a struggle a lot of the time. It’s hard for us to work together on a common goal.
I can tell you, I yearn for peace and harmony and solitary, but I know that is not our reality. I have found that if we persevere in our ministry and persevere in our lives of faith, if we realize that our creativity and perseverance will help us with our obstacles and our challenges, then we not have unrealistic expectations. Sometimes we may feel weary or feel that we are alone, but we are not alone on our journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment