I HAVE HAD ENOUGH
How many times have we each felt like Elijah in today’s First Reading? I dare say that we can all recall a number of times in our lives when we have wanted to give up and not care about life anymore. Yes, life is difficult and there are many challenges but it is these very challenges and difficulties that are the spice of life. Without the challenges, life would be boring.
Elijah is a faithful warrior. He has fought a difficult battle in remaining faithful to God’s Law and his calling. He has struggled against all sorts of authorities and powers and remained true to his faith. Now he is tired and he wants to give up. Yet God still has work for him to do. The more we enter into the service of the Kingdom of God, the more we will discover the same is true for us. Just when we think we have nothing left to give, we are revived miraculously by the hand of God and we discover that we still have a little more to give in the service of the Kingdom of God. I am not saying that we have to work ourselves to the point of exhaustion and physical collapse.
It is critical for our lives of discipleship that we be willing to push the limits of our endurance for the sake of the Kingdom of God. There are times when we will be able to transcend our own limitations because the grace of God is at work and this is God’s will for the time being. There are times when our limitations form the demarcation line between what is and is not possible. We have to learn to discern the difference between these two realities.
All I can say in this regard is that we should err on the side of generosity as I am sure this is what God would do, indeed has done, in dying for us on the cross. Let us never be stingy in the way we respond to God’s grace. Let us always seek to draw the most benefit from it as we can, both for ourselves and for others. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you tire easily in the service of the Kingdom of God? Or do you choose to push yourself in following God’s call?
Lord Jesus, You held nothing back — You gave Your all for me. Help me to realize that generosity is always the best response I can make when answering Your call on my li
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