TODAY'S WORD
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
“Come to me, all you who are weary and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11: 28)
Today's Reflection
Having spent a long time in exile amidst disappointments and pain, and of course, possibly with a feeling of abandonment by God, it would need extra grace for the Israelites to be convinced again that God cares for them.
FIRST READING
Isaiah tried to do this by pointing to the fact that God’s plan may not be very evident to man at the beginning, yet, it pays to trust and wait on him.
Like the Israelites, we have, obviously encountered life situations which keep us wondering: “where is God?” especially during these try times of the Pandemic, losing our health, our work, our salaries, our loved ones, our business. Even in these situations, God keeps telling us, “I know what plans I have for you… plans for peace and not for disaster, plans to give you hope and a future. When you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Today's Gospel the Lord constantly tells us “Come to Me!” “Never, ever get discouraged, My Child!”
Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour!
He is in deep love with us!
"...You are precious in my eyes and I love You!" (Is 43:4).
Many of us, very often, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue by our everyday works and in our striving for salvation.
However, today, the Lord calls all of us – to experience His Resting Presence!
"Behold, I stand at the door and Knock! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me”" (Rev 3:20).
“Experiencing His Resting Presence” also means “to learn from Him”…
… especially learning to be Humble and Gentle like Him! (Mt 11: 29)
A proud heart robs the person of spiritual insights
It renders a person to look only to oneself; the dependence on the Lord is lost!
A harsh (violent/tough/annoyed/wrathful) heart steals the person of “being at peace”
It renders a person to look only at the negativities of life; the attitude of being grateful to God is lost!
Today, let us give heed to the call of the Lord…
… to “Rest in His Presence”
And thus to learn to be more “gentle and humble”
Tensions, worries and problems of life constantly disappoint us!
Even our striving to improve our spiritual lives (and the feeling of failure to do so) discourage us!
May the Lord strengthen you when the troubles of the world are trying to weigh you down so that you may cherish, in this life, the experience of serving him, and in the next, eternal life.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Juan Diego
St. Juan Diego, Mexico. The first saint of American continent to whom Mother Mary appeared four times. Mother of GUADALUPE.
God bless you all. May St. Joseph, whose year has been announced yesterday by Pope Francis, continue to intercede for our Christian families.