Glory and Boldness

Tuesday Reflection from Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/tuesday-seventh-week-easter

In today’s readings, Jesus and Paul are each aware that they are completing their life’s work and are reflecting how they carried out their mission. Their individual approaches to their call are quite unique and diverse.

Jesus primary concern is that the Father be glorified through his life of obedience, and especially his death on a cross.  All the stories Jesus told, the questions he posed, the parables he shared, each pointed to and explained who God the Father is to his listeners.  Through his priestly prayer that we hear in our gospel today, Jesus prays and wants us to know that our purpose is to glorify God in our lives, too, and this glory should spill over to witness and serve all God’s people.  We heard Jesus pray to God: The words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me.”

When Paul preached, his style was one of boldness.  He was a convert, and his heart was on fire for Christ.  Christ was his primary focus.  He proclaimed Christ to his hearers as their Lord, their Savior and their hope. Paul also credits the Holy Spirit with giving his preaching such power.  To the many communities he founded on his travels, he was devoted, caring, instructive, sometimes admonishing and always committed.   He continually charged his listeners to be witnesses themselves. Paul said in our reading: I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes.”

Jesus and Paul continue to be our teachers, too.  As their students, how are we doing?  Are we practicing what they taught us? In that regard, I’d like to share with you thoughts pondered by Fr. Austin Fleming as he reflects on how he spent his day for the Lord, thoughts we can ponder, too:

As the sun sets, Lord,
and evening breezes stir;
when clouds begin to disappear
as darkness settles in:
I stop and wonder...
how'd I spend my day?

What words of mine now echo  warmly in the hearts of friends and family?

What assistance did I offer
to others in their need?

What time did I spend alone today, with you, my friend, in prayer?

What comfort did I give,
what healing, grace and mercy?

What openess was mine
to the gifts you sent my way?

What first steps did I take today
to reconcile with others?

What silence did I seek within
to listen for your voice?

What effort did I make
to accept my neighbor's help?

What risk did I dare
in being loyal to my faith?

What time did I spend
just for others, not for me?

What peace did I make today, Lord,
to keep me through the night ahead?

As the sun sets, Lord,
and evening breezes stir;
when clouds begin to disappear
as darkness settles in:
I stop and wonder...
how'd I spend my day?