What a scene St. Luke paints at the beginning of today’s gospel. It sounds like the crowd might have benefited from some social distancing!
When Jesus began to speak to his disciples, He warns them of the trap of hypocrisy. Jesus wanted to impress upon them the need to live what they said.
He continues by saying that what is said privately, “behind closed doors,” will be known. That which was whispered will be shouted from the housetops … or for our time, on Twitter or other social media.
Next, Jesus teaches them to have a healthy fear of the Lord and not of man. Will they have to pay the price for speaking and living the gospel message? Jesus also wants us to think about the short-term and long-term when it comes to paying the price for either proclaiming the gospel or running from it.
“… Should you find yourself overwhelmed by fear, cast yourself into the abyss of the unshaken confidence of the Sacred Heart, and there your fear will give place to love.”
“If you find yourself frail and weak, lapsing into faults at every moment, go the Sacred Heart and draw from it the strength which will invigorate and revive you.”
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque -
We are called to be people of integrity, striving with God’s grace to live what we profess. When we face opposition and feel weak, remember St. Alacoque’s encouragement to draw strength and courage in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where the love of God can replace our fears.
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