Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Today

Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor – Optional Memorial

“Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Luke 7:14b-15

These words were spoken by our Lord over the coffin of a man who had died days earlier. His mother was grieving. He was the only son of this mother and she was a widow. Imagine her joy as she heard Jesus speak these words and as she watched as her dead son came back to life. It would have been a moment that she would never forget and for which she would be eternally grateful.

These words are packed with meaning. First and foremost, they are words that effected a miraculous event. Jesus spoke and what He spoke came to be. The dead came back to life at His command.

But these words also reveal a deep spiritual truth. Jesus may not bring our loved ones back to life, in a literal way, but He does speak powerful words to us in many other ways. When our faith is strong and we turn to Him with hope, trust and surrender, He will speak to us words that lift us out of our misery and pain.

What is it that you need to bring to our Lord? What is it that leaves you feeling dead and alone in your life? What suffering, sin, hurt, or frustration do you need to bring to our Lord?

Reflect, today, upon the power of the words of our Lord. Reflect, especially, upon what our Lord may command to happen in your life. Offer Him, this day, your sins and all that weighs you down and listen for Him to speak to you. Let Him say to you, “I tell you, arise!” Arise from your sin, hurt, anger and pain. Let His words sink in and transform your life bringing what seems to be dead back to life.

Lord, I surrender to You all that I am and all that weighs me down in life. I entrust to You my sin, hurt, anger and all that appears to be an obstacle to the newness of life to which You are calling me. May I surrender all to You, dear Lord, and hear You call me from my despair to newness of life. Jesus, I trust in You.

More Gospel Reflections

Divine Mercy Reflections

Saint of the Day – Saint Robert Bellarmine