Reflection for Wednesday, September 21, 2010: 25th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Cherney, Isabelle
Issue Date
2010-09-21
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Essay
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en_US
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Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Matthew, the Apostle and evangelist. When Jesus told him "Follow-me," Matthew did so without second guessing. Not only did Matthew follow Jesus, but he also became an apostle, building the Body of Christ. In today's readings, we are called to be followers, to "preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." I am a follower. I follow rules. I tend to agree with others and I often feel more comfortable following someone else's lead than leading myself. When I take on the lead, I am often afraid of making a mistake or of disappointing someone. Jesus was looking for leaders who would, no matter the consequences, spread His word; leaders who were not doubting. It takes someone with a strong faith and courage to lead such a life.||This past weekend, my husband and I had the pleasure of seeing Leonard Bernstein's "Mass." This incredible work illustrated the struggles of ordinary people to keep their faith in a very complex world. In the work, people doubted, people turned away from their faith. Even the "celebrant priest" doubted. However, in the end, there was hope. Each person helped the other in the process of building a community of faith. One important message that I took away from the performance is that we are all at a different stage in our faith. Some of us are at the beginning of the process; some of us are further along. No matter where we are in this process, we can find solace in that we are not alone. We can follow Jesus and the Apostles in living "in a manner worthy of the call we have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.|" I pray for God's guidance in this world. May He assist me in my faith journey. May I be more open to His Word. May I become a better follower of Christ.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary Number: 451