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Vocation Meditation -
September 4, 2011
“ Where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.”
Jesus invited ordinary people to be His chosen disciples. As they began following Him, they would learn to become superb witnesses in faith and service with their Shepherd.
He taught them how to love and serve one another, forming a community of faith founded upon their relationship with Him. In today’s Gospel, Jesus also speaks to us about how to deal with difficulties when division and hurt arise among us as families and communities. Where grievances and differences occur, as they usually do, given our frail human natures, He teaches us the importance of humbly forgiving and reconciling with one another as soon as problems arise.
A key to our happiness and future success in a vocation to serve Christ - whether by way of marriage, the priesthood, or life as a religious sister or brother - is our humble willingness to forgive and be forgiven when something happens. Forgiveness is a gift to the other as well as to ourselves. It diminishes the power of pride and the temptation to be self-righteous. Forgiveness gives us the freedom to grow in love and acceptance of others in their weakness while learning about our own. It allows us to continue again along the path of discipleship, free in heart and mind to give our best in service to Christ.
Reflection:
As I look over my life today do I see anywhere that I need to forgive someone whom I have hurt or slighted, even if not deliberately? Am I willing to take the step to heal and restore our relationship?
Prayer:
O Divine Healer, teach me to be loving and forgiving of others as You are of me! I desire to live and serve with Your renewing energy that the practice of forgiveness brings. Amen.
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.