The first reading for mass today begins by telling us that we will receive from God whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. Sometimes it seems like God doesn’t seem to hear us when we pray, and He doesn’t give us what we ask for in our prayers. We also know people who pray a lot but complain that God never answers them. There are also many people who also strive for a deeper relationship with Christ, but after many prayers and works of charity they still do not feel very close to him. Jesus is like a distant, blurry picture in their minds. An ideal for which they strive, but never truly encounter.
There are many impediments in the spiritual life that separate us from union with Christ, even though we are not in a state of mortal sin. Often, we are not aware of the impediments that lie within us, because they have always been there. Perhaps we inherited certain sinful attitudes or prejudices from our parents or extended family that is at odds with the gospel. The people we live and work with often influence us in small ways that we may not notice as well.
Pride is often a hidden impediment to our spiritual growth too. All of us have pride to some degree. It is called a capital sin for a reason. Pride actually places one’s self in place of God. How often do we use the word “I” in conversation with others? Is our prayer life mostly focused on ourselves and our own wants and needs? This could be part of the problem in why God doesn’t seem to hear us or answer our prayers sometimes. Our prayers are usually for selfish reasons.
Speaking of selfish reasons, this is why Saint John cautions us in the first reading for mass today, to “not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God.” The spirits that he refers to are those of the world that do not acknowledge Jesus Christ or live by his teachings. However, we also need to be cautious about our own motivations as well. Our words, actions and motivations can become self seeking too, if we aren’t careful. The way to “test the spirits to see whether they belong to God”, is to see the fruit. Do our actions mostly benefit ourselves? Are other people’s actions mostly self seeking, or do they benefit others? The end result will either benefit others, or ourselves.
The first reading goes on to say that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” We have a powerful advocate on our side. Jesus Christ strengthens us to do good for others, rather than focus on our own wants and needs. Today’s gospel is a powerful example. Jesus called the people to “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Then he took care of other people. He didn’t just preach in the synagogues, but went out among the people and took care of them.
In today’s gospel, Jesus cured people’s diseases such as those racked with pain, many who were possessed, lunatics and paralytics. If you notice the type of illnesses and conditions many of these people had, they would have needed another person to bring them to Christ so he could cure them. People with cancer who were “racked with pain”, those who were not in their right mind, and those who were paralyzed would have needed someone to physically take them to see Jesus. These hidden people set the example on what Christian people should be like. They simply sought the good of another person. They thought of others first. Jesus also thought of others his entire life and gave very little thought to his own wants and needs. The gospel today says:
“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.”
The light of Christ is his love for us – even in our own darkness, weaknesses and sins.
Let us try to be more like Christ for one another. We can be a light for others who sit in darkness. Anything that we can do to help alleviate another person’s suffering, becomes a light in their darkness. Let us keep the Christ light burning this year, not just inside of us, but through us, to the people we encounter each day.
