Father
Patrick Langan, LC
John 14: 27-31a
Jesus said to his
disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
to you. Not as the world gives do I give
it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled
or afraid. You heard me tell you, ´I am going
away and I will come back to you.´ If you
loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to
the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And
now I have told you this before it happens, so
that when it happens you may believe. I will no
longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the
world is coming. He has no power over me, but
the world must know that I love the Father and
that I do just as the Father has commanded me."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for granting me the opportunity
to be with you. There are things in life, Lord,
that attract me, but you attract me more. I hope
in you, and I love you. Maybe I don’t really
understand what it means to love, and maybe I don’t
love the way I should, but I do love you.
Petition: Lord, help me always to remember who I am,
where I come from, and where I am going.
1.
Activism: In today´s culture, many people believe, almost religiously, that
what they do will eventually make them someone. They believe
that from doing flows being, since their activity defines them.
This makes it easy for them to be exploited. In
nineteenth century America, a slave was often not told his
birthday, so he could never really know who he was.
He was just made to work. This same temptation exists
today. Many people work such long hours — some as
a means of escape from difficulties or responsibilities at home;
others for the satisfaction they feel seeing a job completed;
still others, just to earn more money and to be
able to afford a more comfortable life. However, these are
all manifestations of the same slavery.
2. My True Identity: With
his example, however, Christ shows us a different way of
life, a way that goes against the current. First I
have to be. Then my doing will flow from my
being. Christ says again and again: I am the Son
of my Father. Now I will act accordingly. When Moses
asked God of the burning bush who he was, he
said, “I AM who AM.”
Who am I? What defines me is my relationship to God. Just imagine this: I have the privilege of being a child of God! God has loved me so much that he has adopted me as his child! This is something worthwhile. This is who I really am, and I should act accordingly, as Christ taught me.
Who am I? What defines me is my relationship to God. Just imagine this: I have the privilege of being a child of God! God has loved me so much that he has adopted me as his child! This is something worthwhile. This is who I really am, and I should act accordingly, as Christ taught me.
3. True Peace: Christ´s great peace comes as
a consequence of meditating on and living out who I
really am. When I meditate, I discover that I am
God’s creature. Suddenly, I find the strength to face reality.
Others will be unable to exploit me, and I will
stop exploiting others because I am – and they are
– children of God. My dignity derives from this fundamental
truth: I was created in God’s image and likeness. I
came from God, and he is inviting me to return
to him and be happy with him for all eternity.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I have the bad habit of
focusing on my doing. That is why I am always
anxious. I want to be like you, Lord, seeing first
who I am and letting my activity flow from that.
This will bring me peace. However, Lord, I need your
grace. Help me to live as a true son or
daughter.
Resolution: Today, I will do two kind acts
to someone who is troubled in order to help them
experience God’s love for them.
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