Reflection for Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012712.cfm

"And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come."


Have you ever known someone whose company leaves you feeling annoyed and aggravated rather than refreshed?


Now, Jesus loves us; but I wonder if our company is refreshing to him like fresh fruits and vegetables at harvest, or if it is more like rotten fruits and vegetables.  Certainly our Lord is more patient with us than we are with those whose company is like rotten fruits and vegetables; but we should work, with the strength the indwelling Christ provides, at being a delight to the Lord.


I sometimes wonder if the reason we are not a delight to the Lord is because we do not see him as a delight.  In other words, we do not see him as refreshing like fresh fruits and vegetables.  Maybe we think he is too stern, critical, and hard to get along with.  Maybe we are bitter with him because he allowed suffering in our lives or did not do something for us we thought he should have done.


If any of these is true, then we need to be honest with the Lord about our struggles with him. If we cannot talk to him, then we should talk to Mary and/or our patron saint.  It might also be helpful to talk to a Christian whom we trust and respect, and who will give us good advice.


May our Lord allow us to experience the delight that is his love, so that our presence will be a delight to him and others.