The Perspective We Need: Reflection for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Brothers!

Below is a written reflection by a mentor of mine, Richard Cleveland. Rich is the founder of Emmaus Journey ministries and was heavily involved with the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, which I’d say was the precursor to the Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance. Among many other volumes, he is the author of the Catholic Topical Memory System, which is a featured resource in the book No Man Left Behind.

Enjoy this powerful reflection in lieu of a Heroic Word video this week! And there will be no Heroic Word Reflection tonight. Instead, I’d encourage you to take stock of the freedom you have in Christ as you watch the fireworks light up the sky in celebration of our nation’s freedom!

God bless you brothers!

A passage by Richard A. Cleveland in Reflecting on Sunday’s Readings

On May 13, 1981 an assassin’s bullet ripped through the stomach of Pope John Paul II, and initiated a trial of suffering that lasted several months, required multiple surgeries, was complicated by a viral infection, and required two lengthy hospital stays. Yet through this ordeal Pope John Paul II maintained a positive spirit, and demonstrated ongoing concern for others and for the Church. Whereas many would have bemoaned their fate, Pope John Paul II confessed, “One hand fired, and another one guided the bullet.’ For him there is no doubt about the protection which saved him from death…”1 

How people respond to the difficulties they encounter in life is a theme of this Sunday’s Mass readings. We see God’s people confronted with difficult situations, situations which most of us would call major problems. For instance, Ezekiel was given the very difficult task of trying to communicate with obstinate and rebellious people. Paul faced a different problem, he experienced a physical malady that some think was an eye disease, which hindered and limited his freedom to serve Christ. These problems, which are similar to ones we confront, reinforce the reality that a Christian believer is not immune to difficulties. On the contrary, they demonstrate that sometimes a believer’s problems are multiplied by virtue of being a believer.

The issues we must face when we encounter problems is whether we view them as obstacles or opportunities, and whether we view ourselves as victims or victors. In honesty we must confess that frequently these situations are viewed primarily as obstacles wherein we do not see the opportunities, but only see ourselves as being victimized by unpleasant circumstances. The perspective which we need in order to change the way we view difficult circumstances, is faith; faith in the goodness of God and faith in the power of God to help.

We see in this week’s Gospel reading that people’s obstinate unwillingness to trust in Jesus created a situation where they could not experience Christ’s power. They had the unfortunate inclination to view Jesus’ power in light of their own limitations. However, for God’s children, life’s problems are really opportunities for us to exercise our faith. As our faith is exercised it is made stronger through the process, and we experience Christ’s power in new and unusual ways.  Ezekiel couldn’t be obedient and at the same time sit around and bemoan his job assignment. He had to believe that God knew what was best and in faith proceed with the assignment given him. Paul, utilized his faith to ask for deliverance from his malady, and when God said, “No,” Paul used his faith not to simply surrender stoically to his condition, but to glory in it, looking to see how God’s grace would be magnified through his life because of his sickness. Their faith in God’s love and power enabled them to recognize, as did John Paul II, that in reality, another hand, God’s, directed their lives. When we view the difficulties and complications that enter our lives as wonderful opportunities to experience God’s love, grace, and power, we will find ourselves at peace, energized to do what we can, and amazed at the miracles God works in us and on our behalf.

“For this reason, Jesus did not hesitate to proclaim the blessedness of those who suffer: ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. …“This blessedness can only be understood if one admits that human life is not limited to our time spent on earth, but is wholly directed to perfect joy and fullness of life in the hereafter. Earthly suffering, when accepted in love, is like a bitter kernel containing the seed of new life, the treasure of divine glory to be given humanity in eternity. … It is this hope that is nourished by Christ’s promise.”

1 Be Not Afraid, by Andre Frossard.

2 Go in Peace, by Pope John Paul II, (page 171).