June 21, 2020
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are many things of which we can be afraid: being rebuked, rejection, anger, being challenged, having to defend ourselves, standing alone, insecurity, failure, and even death. For some, identifying and overcoming their fears is a daunting task. Regardless of how much they may want to break the cycle of fear, they find that they remain close friends with old and dysfunctional behavioral habits and norms. Maybe what they really fear is change. There are many who gravitate to the familiar and comfortable, and find safety and security in doing so, even if they remain mired in mediocrity. Human beings have to learn that there is life beyond the “what has always been” and that happiness and depth are possible when old structures and systems have to be left behind.

Can you leave the near and dear, the comfortable and familiar, the safe and secure, and discover new opportunities? The shear thought of doing so can bring on feelings of apprehension, intense anger, resentment, defensiveness, reluctance, resistance, and even apathy. If we have to be responsible for making the change, cowardice can creep in. If someone else is to blame for making the change, any number of possible negative reactions are possible. In the end, only one thing is required and that is God. If I can rely on and deepen my relationship with God, especially in the Eucharist along with a community of believers, then little else is of great concern. We have to figure out what is really important. It is not always what we think.

The Gospel calls us to stretch ourselves and try new things, not to remain stuck and stagnant in familiar ways. We are asked to live life more deliberately, radically, and intentionally. We are asked to leave the familiar behind and learn to live with changing, and often limiting, human structures. We cannot get too caught up in the physical, ideological, or structural systems we are used to. The Holy Spirit always leads and guides us. If we trust this, we will find ourselves doing things we never thought we could do. Always seek the path to joy and love. They keep us from falling victim to our fears and from seeking the nostalgic crutches we think we need to achieve a sense of well-being and happiness.

©LPi

MEDITACIÓN EVANGÉLICO

21 de junio de 2020
12º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

No tengan miedo, dice Jesús tres veces en este Evangelio a sus apóstoles. A pesar de tanta dificultad y malos entendidos, el miedo debe dejarse a un lado y perseverar siempre, tratar de mantener la calma y la paz. Porque dice Jesús. “¿Acaso un par de pajaritos no se venden por unos centavos? Pero ni uno de ellos cae en tierra sin que lo permita vuestro Padre. En cuanto a ustedes, hasta sus cabellos están contados. ¿No valen ustedes más que muchos pajaritos? Por lo tanto, no tengan miedo”. (Mateo 10:29-31). Jesús va delante de nosotros, solo nos invita a confiar en el amor incondicional de Dios. Él fue fiel al Padre hasta la muerte y lo sabemos muy bien.

Entonces, ¿por qué tanta desconfianza? ¿Por qué a las primeras dificultades tiramos la toalla? Actualmente, los cristianos del mundo entero enfrentan situaciones adversas a las enseñanzas de Jesús. Si alguien practica el perdón y la justicia sin ningún interés, definidamente será perseguido y criticado. Y muchas veces es en la propia familia y lugar de trabajo o escuela. Pero, la invitación es, no olvidar la enseñanza de este domingo que queda como anillo al dedo por aquello de la confianza y fidelidad a Dios. “Al que se ponga de mi parte ante los hombres, yo me pondré de su parte ante mi Padre de los cielos. Y al que me niegue ante los hombres, yo también lo negaré ante mi Padre que está en los cielos”. (Mateo 10:32-33). Esta es la garantía para la vida presente y futura de todo cristiano. Siempre hacer el bien sin mirar a quien, como dice este dicho popular. De esta manera Jesús no nos desconocerá en el cielo.

©LPi