Friday, September 10, 2010

Opportunities to Witness

Early this morning as usual I got to make my hot cup of ginger mint tea, say my morning Rosary, then read and reflect on today's scripture readings.




The first reading hit me.

"Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!  


An obligation has been imposed on me....wow, that is a powerful line.

I began to think about
the commitment I made at my baptism, then later at my confirmation, these were the beginnings of my lifetime journey toward discipleship.

Paul continues...
"I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some."


I thought to myself, when my time here on earth is over will I have helped to save at least one; will I have been instrumental  in guiding at least one soul toward heaven like Paul mentions? Or, will I have missed my opportunity to be a witness for Christ?

After prayer I went over to the computer to read my email, where I came across this:

Jesus teaches us how to live in the present time. He identifies our present time as the end-time, the time that offers us countless opportunities to testify for Jesus and his Kingdom. The many disasters in our world, and all the tragedies that happen to people each day, can easily lead us to despair and convince us that we are the sad victims of circumstances. But Jesus looks at these events in a radically different way. He calls them opportunities to witness!

Jesus reminds us that we do not belong to this world. We have been sent into the world to be living witnesses of God's unconditional love, calling all people to look beyond the passing structures of our temporary existence to the eternal life promised to us. Henri Nouwen

I thought of a conversation I had with my daughter at lunch yesterday. She has recently been introduced to a wonderful older lady named Adelle, a Third Order Franciscan. She shared with me that one of the beautiful things about Adelle was not only her peaceful spirit, but her ability to listen and answer truthfully in love. She is a living witness of Christ's love by being love in that moment to the person right in front of her.  As she shared this with me I was reminded also of Paul.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

In a world that is always in a hurry, the unselfish gift of giving time to someone in need is a beautiful way to witness.  As Mother Teresa once said, "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."

Today I pray for the gift of love, not to hold it close or keep it for myself, but to give it away freely as Christ did then and still does today, as an opportunity to witness..... Amen

15 comments:

Mary N. said...

DG,
You are a wonderful witness for God's Kingdom! I am sure that you are leading many souls to Christ through your blog and personal witness. May the Lord continue to inspire you. This was an excellent post!

kam said...

So true, so true. All of todays readings, for me, were very strong, very deep. From 2 Corinthians in Morning Prayer to the Mass readings today, all reaching out to us, touching us. And then the end: 'No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.' Paul knew he had to be the real thing for everyone, including himself. Can we do nothing less?

Anne said...

That first reading today was very powerful! I have a feeling that writing this blog is one way that you fulfill your obligation, and I bet there are many more. I love the simplicity of Mother Teresa-just offer a smile!

I have those Henri Nouwen reflections sent to my email as well, always something to ponder!

God bless you dear!

Daily Grace said...

Oh Mary, like so many of us I struggle. Thank you for your kind words. They are so comforting!

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Amen.

Great post thank you.

God bless.

Michael said...

You are always so inspiring. Great reflection - thank you for sharing.

God Bless.

Rosario said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the scriptures. I daily read the readings and meditate on them. It is nice to read what others think of the same scripture.

Abbey's Road said...

The was a positively amazing read! You will never know how very much this spoke to me ... I feel a tug, a calling, and I know what I am to do! But, before I go, I LOVE YOU for your wonderful witness ... it is deeply moving.

Thank you so very much!
Abbey ♥

Daily Grace said...

Thank you Michael, Abbey and Rosario.
Your comments mean a lot.

Daily Grace said...

Thanks KAM for your feed back. I always enjoy your point of view. It speaks volumes!

Daily Grace said...

Anne,

Mother Teresa's simplicity was truly one of her many strengths. Thank you!

Mary N. said...

DG,
I left you an award on my blog :)

Barb Schoeneberger said...

Hi DG, I came here from Mary333's site. This is such an inspiring post and so true. Mother Teresa is such a great example to all of us - a real light of hope for Catholics today as we try to restore all things in Christ.

Daily Grace said...

Barb,

Welcome, welcome! It is always such a blessing when a new visitor stops by!

Yes, you are so right..Mother Teresa is a real light of hope for Catholics today.

Thank you for commenting & God bless.

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

I like Mother Theresa's description of the value of a smile.