It's easy to think of suffering as being solely negative - something we know we'll experience, so we have to just muscle through. But Jesus demonstrated that suffering can be a redeeming force, especially if we're suffering in order to serve others. Jesus understands suffering because he experienced it as one of us, but then showed us there is new life on the other side. As disciples, we are called to serve others. We might suffer now but we will be rewarded in the Kingdom of God!

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It’s a question we should all ask of Jesus - and then we should pray for the wisdom necessary to discern the personal challenge we’ll be given in reply. To do that, we need to open ourselves up to God’s word, which allows us to become more open to God AND we start to understand ourselves a bit more. Add wisdom to that mix, and we’ll be on our way to discerning what we're being called and challenged to do. The asnwer is likely to be difficult and costly - so we need to hold tight to the assurance that all things are possible with God!

It’s important that relationships are built on a foundation of mutual love and respect; but we have a long history of women being considered less than men. Yet if Jesus is our brother, then we are all children of God and part of the same family and we must strive for equality. We are created to need and depend on each other, so when God brings a couple together and their relationship demonstrates fidelity, monogamy, and a morally strong commitment, then no one should ever try to separate them!

By our Baptism, we are called to be “priest, prophet, and king,” and the Holy Spirit can help us avoid exploiting others and help us identify injustices around us. Eternal punishment awaits those who amass their fortunes through exploitation but there are plenty of evildoers closer to home. We are called to face injustice and call it out, otherwise those evildoers will contaminate the entire community of the faithful!

The first reading this week describes how the wicked treat the righteous but it doesn't give the reason for their hatred. Is it fear? Embarrassment? Or are they evil, bent on destroying what is righteous? It could be any of those reasons because it comes from one’s heart. For those of us fighting for what’s right and just, it’s a note of caution. Peace must be the root of everything we do. If we focus on welcoming those who are powerless, we will remain the kind of servants Jesus has called us to be!

No one ever said being a disciple of Christ would be easy, but the Holy Spirit will give us strength - the strength to put our faith into action. Following Jesus can involve great personal sacrifice - giving up something of ourselves - but with the help of the Spirit, we may not even realize we’ve picked up our cross to follow our Messiah!

It’s very hard to be courageous in the world today when “fear” seems to be taking over wherever you look. People are refusing to listen to anyone who doesn’t agree with them. They’re villainizing anyone who’s different from them, terrified that the “other” is going to displace them and take what’s theirs. But this is NOT the way Christians should think or act. We need to let God open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts so we can see others for the children of God they are. We aren’t called to show favoritism, unless it’s to err on the side of justice and standing up for the oppressed. When we understand this, we can ask for Christ’s help because Jesus wants us to “be opened!”

When we can move our faith from our heads to our hearts, we’ll be on the right track. Our understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ won’t be an intellectual exercise anymore - it will become an experience of feeling and love. Only then will we be able to truly discern the “spirit” of God’s commands and avoid the hypocrisy of holding on to human traditions and only worshipping God with our lips. Only then will our actions truly reflect God’s word!

Members of the Church who are educated in its history and theology often fall victim to the arrogance of certainty. If others dare question their proclamations, they believe it shows a lack of faith and a refusal to submit to Christ. But they are not Christ and they are absolutely capable of being wrong. We are challenged to serve the Lord, which doesn’t mean we’ll understand the call - but we need to have faith and believe in Jesus. Those with power and authority need to set aside their certainty and truly submit to Christ by more respectfully listening to all the members of his body!

It’s important for us to remember the indispensable role that Mary played in our salvation history but we also need to remember that Mary is a role model for all of us. As the original disciple - the first to say an unequivocal “YES!” to God - she provides an example for every single human being. And how do we follow her example? By hearing and obeying the word of God, which is a true blessing because in doing so, we accept Jesus Christ - the savior who has conquered death and offers us eternal life in heaven!