A reading of the holy Gospel according to LK 7:18B-23
At that time,John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” When the men came to the Lord, they said,“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;he also granted sight to many who were blind. And Jesus said to them in reply,“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:the blind regain their sight,the lame walk,lepers are cleansed,the deaf hear, the dead are raised,the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
REFLECTION
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.
Many of our saints are excellent teachers. St Francis de sales said, "How can we bear witness to the true fidelity that we owe to our Lord if not amid tribulation, opposition and during those times we are unsettled within".
St. John of the Cross endured imprisonment, beatings, starvation and solitude at the hands of his fellow confréres. He escaped his captors and flourished, reforming the Discalced Carmelites . He wrote beautiful poetry during the time of his imprisonment in those dark days. He is honored as a Doctor of the Church since 1926. He is also called the "Mystical Doctor," as a tribute to the depth of his teaching on the soul's union with God.
We are told to persevere patiently and await for the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Be confident in God who loves us, gave us His Son to redeem us and who promises eternal life.
Only one Person to please, only one Person to live for. We are imperfect but Our Father is true perfection. In humbling ourselves we repair ourselves from the inside out and the Spirit will not tire of us as long as we try to amend our way.
Many miracles were reported to St John the Baptist, many trials and tribulations were endured by St. John of the Cross. The common denominator here is to not lose sight of the goodness of the Lord. Always please God in our thoughts and deeds. Do not only walk in the way of the Lord, but walk with Him, let Him let you care and love Him.
Follow the commandments. Follow your duties, and let His Will be done. Do as St John the Baptist and St John of the Cross. We should never be perturbed by what God allows in our lives. Always serve God by doing His Will.
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