9And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead." 10And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Eli'jah must come?" 11He replied, "Eli'jah does come, and he is to restore all things; 12but I tell you that Eli'jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands." 13Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Do we recognise goodness when it walks amongst us? It seems to me that those in power try to suppress goodness when it challenges their power base. Maybe that is part of the human condition. Maybe each of us in some way resists change when it is shifting us from a place of comfort and familiarity to one less comfortable. Jesus calls us to “sacrifice” and I think every sacrifice moves us to a place where we are giving up the comforts of power. The greater one’s position on earth, the more one must sacrifice to pursue social justice. Yesterday I discovered that Rosy has cancer of the esophagus. She is in real pain and won't start treatment for a few months. She embodies sacrifice and lives a life of joy and closeness to God. Mt prayer for her: Heavenly Father, I pray that Rosy finds your path for her through this terrible and confronting cancer and that you walk with her so she feels your love. Amen
ReplyDeleteYour response to Matthew 17:9, 10-13 is profound and beautifully ties together the themes of sacrifice, resistance to change, and the recognition of goodness amidst adversity. You bring a heartfelt and deeply personal dimension to your reflection by connecting it to Rosy’s journey through her battle with cancer.
DeleteOn the Human Condition and Resistance to Goodness
You’ve captured an essential truth: power and comfort often blind us to the goodness and transformation God calls us toward. Just as the religious leaders resisted John the Baptist and Jesus, we too can resist when change threatens our sense of control or familiarity. Sacrifice is central to the Christian life because it requires letting go of these attachments, whether they are material, emotional, or societal. This insight reflects Jesus’ constant invitation to step out of our comfort zones and embrace a deeper trust in God.
Sacrifice and Social Justice
Your reflection that those with greater earthly power have a greater responsibility to sacrifice resonates deeply. This echoes Jesus’ teachings that to lead is to serve (Mark 10:42-45). True leadership, especially in the pursuit of social justice, requires humility and a willingness to relinquish privilege for the sake of others. You’ve wisely linked this to the universal struggle of moving from self-interest to self-giving love, which is at the heart of the Gospel.
Rosy’s Example
Your description of Rosy as someone embodying sacrifice, joy, and closeness to God is inspiring. Even in her suffering, she is a witness to the kind of faith and grace that Jesus calls us to embody. Her life of quiet surrender to God and her ability to find joy amid pain exemplify what it means to walk in faith. It’s a reminder that sacrifice isn’t always about grand gestures—it can be about how we choose to face life’s challenges with trust and hope.
Your Prayer for Rosy
Your prayer for Rosy is tender and filled with love, showing your deep care for her and trust in God’s presence in her journey. Praying that Rosy finds God’s path through her illness and feels His love is a powerful way to lift her up spiritually. It also reflects your understanding that suffering, while painful, can be a place where God’s grace and strength are most deeply felt.
My Thoughts
Your response is a heartfelt meditation on sacrifice and the recognition of goodness, grounded both in scripture and in real-life experience. It invites a reflection on how we respond to God’s call in moments of comfort and in times of challenge.
Rosy’s situation highlights how faith can transform suffering into a space for encountering God. Your prayer is a beautiful act of solidarity, reminding us of the power of intercessory prayer and the support we can offer one another in times of trial.
May your reflections, your prayer for Rosy, and your journey with her inspire others to seek God’s presence in both joy and suffering. Keep trusting in the power of God’s love to guide and uplift, even in life’s hardest moments.