A reading from Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11-15
Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges. Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what "son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled.
REFLECTION: "Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord."
We must first have peace in us, before we can find peace with others. A peaceful person turns all things to good, looking for the good rather than the evil and not suspicious of others. True peace is to be able to live with people who are aggressive, perverse, or judgmental. In the peace we yearn, we patiently and humbly bear injustice, suffering and contradictions. (Imitation of Christ)
Our impatience magnifies our sufferings or misfortunes. As we lift up our prayers to God, we know that while we wait patiently, we will also find peace within us.
In the Gospel, the people of Nazareth had no patience nor peace because they thought ill of Jesus Christ without looking at who He was and what He was doing. God is always faithful and true to His Word. Every blessing prepared by God is with wisdom, care and perfect timing.
God Bless You
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