Guadete Sunday
Rejoice! We get a break this weekend. We take a short break today to reflect on the joyful moments of our life. We probably need this now. I was thinking of John.
At the start of this gospel reading, we need to remember that John is in prison. What a depressing place to be. John sends his disciples to Jesus to ask if Jesus is the one to come. Jesus replies, the blind see, the deaf hear, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised. Each of these descriptions are joy filled occasions. Who would not be filled with joy to see, or to be able to walk, or hear, or receive healing. And the disciples sent by John would certainly be excited and filled with joy upon hearing this. All this in stark contrast to John sitting in prison.
At this point we should pause and consider the prophecy. It states that the blind will see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and so on. But there is one more line of the prophecy. It says captives will be set free. I wonder if John wasn’t thinking I am a captive, when would I be set free? But there is no answer to that question.
Instead, the readings instruct us to see the miracles and the beauty surrounding us. So often people express a desire for more patience. I do not think patience is the virtue they need. I would suggest you need more peace in your life.
Think of the things that upset or frustrate you. Do you get angry with politicians? You might say who doesn’t. What about family members? There are always the black sheep of the family. And they somehow know exactly what to say to make you upset.
Today’s readings tell us to reflect on where there is peace in our hearts. If there is something that is causing stress, anxiety, or frustration, then you no longer have peace. The first step is to assess what is destroying your peace. That means if politicians are destroying your peace, then discover you do not have control over them. You cannot make them stop. You have very little say in what you can do to change them.
So, rather than getting frustrated or irritated, pray for them. Put them in God’s hands. As you pray you will realize peace does return to you. And then you will discover patience because you have put them in God’s hands, they are His problem, where it should be.
Seek peace in your life. You will find patience. You will discover you are a much patient person than you believed.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and if the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen