Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012612.cfm
Are we ashamed of our Lord?
In middle school, I went through a period of time when I did not want my friends to see me with my parents. I realize this is probably a normal part of adolescence; nevertheless, I look back on it with some regret. The truth is, I was ashamed of my parents; however, they were good parents and deserved better from me.
If we should not be ashamed of our earthly parents who were good but not perfect, then how much more should we not be ashamed of our heavenly Father who is all good and has loved us perfectly? Yet, if we are honest, we probably have to admit that there are times when we take the light of God's love in our lives and hide it under a bushel basket because we are ashamed to let it shine.
What causes us to be ashamed of the God who has loved us to the point of death? It is fear of persecution. God understands this, so to counter the fear, he has given to us the gift of courage in Confirmation. It is through courage that God the Holy Spirit strengthens us to say with St. Paul, even in the face of persecution, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ."
May God the Holy Spirit fill us with courage, so that we will never be ashamed of the God who has infinitely loved us in Christ.
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