2024-02-03 22:54:05

He began to pray.

Dear brothers, peace and good.

The readings today present us with people who suffer. In the first reading and in the Gospel. Job, of course, does not see his future at all clear. It is not what we usually see on social networks, or even in our daily relationships. We only tell some people what really happens to us. In general, “good” or “as usual” are the answers to the question “how are you?” There is no time to complain, or, sometimes, there is no desire, because we feel that it is of no use. We keep everything to ourselves, although, perhaps, there are people around us willing to help us, if we opened up. But not. We put a good face on the bad weather, and move on. It’s hard to trust. It is difficult for us to appear weak. We do not believe that we can deserve the compassion of others.

In reality, what happens to Job is similar to what can happen to us. Many people are having a bad time. The economic situation, work, health, love… We know it is like that, even if they don’t say anything. We don’t say anything either, out of false respect. And so we continue.

What we have to do is talk, tell what happens to us, to improve and so that they can support us. You have to find the meaning of life, to avoid falling into depression. There is a solution, cheaper than a psychologist. That’s what Job did. He tells God all regarding his feelings, his lack of hope, how bad everything is going for him. He is brave, to trust in the Lord. Me too? Am I capable of turning to God as a good Father, to whom I can tell my things, and complain, if that is the case? Maybe yes, maybe not. If I am a believer, I have to trust in God and ask him for help and protection in bad times. A sincere prayer, trusting in Him, can help us. That’s what Job did. It is not a stroke of pessimism, it is putting everything that happens to you in God’s hands. Whoever cries and shouts his pain, even if he does not know it, is crying out to God, he is asking for strength and light for the path.

Paul tells us regarding preaching the Gospel of Christ as something greater than his strength. A fact that he cannot avoid. Like the dancer who can’t stop dancing, or like a father who worries regarding his children. Or what Saint Anthony Mary Claret felt: Charity urges me, impels me, makes me run from one town to another, forces me to shout (Autobiography, ? 212). Paul says that he cannot do anything else, and that what he teaches is not his word, but the Gospel, the Word of God. This is good advice. Transmit the doctrine of the Church, not what I think or what it seems to me. The Word must be delivered as it is, without discounts or discounts. And do it on time and out of time.

Furthermore, Paul has dedicated his life to his brothers freely, without expecting anything in return. He doesn’t owe anything to anyone, he does everything selflessly and because he can’t live any other way. And he doesn’t ask anyone for anything. He has no debt other than that of love (cf. Rom 13:8). He has found the hidden treasure, and he wants to share it with everyone. At the cost of much suffering, with much physical exhaustion, he has given his entire being to the cause of the Kingdom. This is what many people feel in his volunteer work, that they “waste” time for others. Thanks and love. It is what, perhaps, God is also calling you to.

The Gospel continues to tell us a “typical” journey of Jesus. Last Sunday we saw how he taught in the synagogue, with authority. Today we follow his journey as he leaves that place. He goes to eat at his friend Pedro’s house, and there he cures his mother-in-law’s fever. It is not a spectacular miracle, like last week, the Gerasa pigs falling off the cliff or the raising of Lazarus.

It is true that it is something small, in comparison. But, at the same time, this “little miracle” is very symbolic. It explains to us, in a few words, what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Following Christ means having been healed by Him, and, once healed, starting to serve Him and others. He shows us his love, he approaches us in Reconciliation and in the Eucharist, every time we celebrate those sacraments. He heals us, he heals us. And the one who has been cured, it is normal that, in gratitude, he begins to serve, making his good state of health a gift for others. Serve as a testimony of the gifts we have received. Help those who are close, without forgetting those who are far away, in these times of globalization. Let our insides not close, in the face of so much need. “I was hungry and you gave me food” (Mt 25, 35)

Jesus’ journey continues with the healing of the sick and demon-possessed. And once more, he imposes silence. “Since the demons knew him, he did not allow them to speak.” The thing is that Christ did not seek success, but rather the conversion of hearts. And neither does good make noise, nor does noise make good. Service to all, so that the signs of the arrival of the Kingdom might be seen, but without rushing. Everything has its time. Move your hearts, in depth, not because you have seen extraordinary signs.

And time to pray is what opens Jesus’ day. After preaching and service, prayer is another of the pillars of his day. The sentence. A deserted place, solitude, silence… The entire mission arises from here, from this inner source. It would not be the only time that Christ retired to pray. Time for God, before dedicating time to others. In order to dedicate himself to the work of the Kingdom, he needs to be united with his Father. Permanently discern his will, to do what God wants. Before doing, pray. Something that is good for all of us to remember. May the day begin by asking God for help, and end by giving thanks and asking for forgiveness for mistakes.

When the disciples find him – everyone looks for him – they hear from his lips what we might call the missionary ideal of Jesus: “Let’s go somewhere else, to the nearby villages, to preach there too; that’s why I came out.” Jesus’ dream is to always be on the way out. What Pope Francis often reminds us, go to meet all those in need. Jesus dedicated himself to traveling to many places. We, perhaps, cannot be so free for the mission. But we can imitate Jesus in prayer, in dedication to others, with our time or our abilities, healing wounds or loneliness, to a greater or lesser extent, and in concern for the development of the Kingdom of God. Let it be noted that we are believers. Every day.

Your brother in faith, Alejandro, CMF

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#Gospel #Reflection #Homily #Sunday #February