EVERYDAY SPIRITUALITY
The men whom Jesus chose to be His Apostles were ordinary people. Jesus invited them, “Come, follow Me,” and they left everything and followed Him. Jesus chose these men not for what they were but for what they could become under His influence and power. Jesus does not call extraordinary people but ordinary mortals willing to do ordinary things with extraordinary love. He does not ask for their ability but their availability.
The Twelve Apostles went forth to bring with them the Word and the works of Christ. We are called to bring the message of Christ’s love and we cannot bring that message unless we first receive it in His presence.
Martin Buber tells the story about a rabbi’s disciple who begged his master to teach him how to prepare his soul for the service of God. The rabbi told him to go to Rabbi Abraham, who at that time was still an innkeeper. The disciple did as instructed and lived in the inn for several weeks without observing any vestige of holiness in the innkeeper, who, from morning prayer till night, devoted himself to the affairs of his business. The disciple finally asked the innkeeper what he did all day. The latter said, “My most important occupation is to clean the dishes properly so that not the slightest trace of food is left, and to clean and dry the pots and pans so that they do not rust.” When the disciple returned home and reported to the rabbi what he had seen and heard, the rabbi said to him, “Now you know the answer about how to prepare your soul for the service of God.”
The way to reach God is by doing everything wholeheartedly and genuinely. Everything and every act is full of God’s holiness, so treat it with respect and dignity. We don’t need to be great to become servants of the Lord; we just need to be available to Him. We have to live in His presence and allow Him to transform us. When we become aware that everything is full of God’s holiness, we can bring love wherever we are and do everything wholeheartedly and genuinely. To become someone sent by the Lord means to give witness to His love, Word and works. Fr. Joel Jason
REFLECTION QUESTION: Meditate on these words of Blessed Mother Teresa: “Just do with love what is natural; God will surely supply the supernatural.”
Help me to see and do everything with great love for You, Lord.
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