The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Mass Reading & Meditation for Saturday,5 September 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Mass Reading & Meditation for Saturday,5 September 2015

Meditation: Luke 6:1 One Shabbat, while Yeshua was passing through some wheat fields, his talmidim began plucking the heads of grain, rubbing them between their hands and eating the seeds. 2 Some of the P’rushim said, “Why are you violating Shabbat?” 3 Yeshua answered them, “Haven’t you ever read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the House of God and took and ate the Bread of the Presence” — which no one is permitted to eat but the cohanim. 5 “The Son of Man,” he concluded, “is Lord of Shabbat.”
Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
… picking the heads of grain. (Luke 6:1)
Whether it was plucking grain on the Sabbath, talking to outcasts, or performing miracles, Jesus’ disciples often “stood out like sore thumbs.” “Why couldn’t they just be normal?” many of the Pharisees probably wondered. But there was no avoiding it. It seems that whenever we follow Jesus, we end up doing and saying things that don’t seem normal to the people around us. And that can be a good thing. Realizing that we are called to something different can help us to live out our response to Jesus more confidently.
Let’s take joy, for example. Scriptures call us to rejoice on a daily basis. Yes, some days are certainly easier than others, but joy has always been a trademark of Christ’s followers. It’s not an emotion based on circumstances or something that we can fake; it comes from having the Holy Spirit, who pours grace into our lives.
What about mercy? Countless Christians have found the grace to forgive people who have hurt them, even in situations that many have considered unforgivable. Just like joy, however, the ability to extend mercy, sometimes in the midst of deep personal pain, only comes from the work of grace in our hearts.
The use of our time may also seem unusual. Going to Mass, spending time in prayer, or even reading this meditation is a reflection of a heart that longs to draw near to Christ. It shows that we are prioritizing our walk with the Lord by making room for him, even in the busyness of everyday life.
Recognizing these differences is not about developing a “holier than thou” attitude. It’s about discipleship. If we know we are called to be joyous, we will try to resist complaining. When we know that we are called to be merciful, we will make an extra effort to forgive. And yes, we will be more inclined to “waste” our time on the Lord when we know that it is not simply out of habit but out of a desire to grow more deeply in our relationship with Jesus.
Today, ask the Lord for more grace to follow him. Tell him that you don’t mind being seen as a bit different or quirky, as long as you can glorify him.
“Jesus, I will follow you wherever you lead.” Amen!
Colossians 1:21 In other words, you, who at one time were separated from God and had a hostile attitude towards him because of your wicked deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in the Son’s physical body through his death; in order to present you holy and without defect or reproach before himself — 23 provided, of course, that you continue in your trusting, grounded and steady, and don’t let yourselves be moved away from the hope offered in the Good News you heard.
This is the Good News that has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven; and I, Sha’ul, have become a servant of it.
Psalm 54:3 (1) God, deliver me by your name;
in your power, vindicate me.
4 (2) God, hear my prayer;
listen to the words from my mouth.6 (4) But God is helping me;
Adonai is my support.8 (6) Then I will generously sacrifice to you;
I will praise your name, Adonai,
because it is good,____________________________