Nice Enough?

A Reflection on the Second Reading for July 26th, 2020:
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Romans
8.28-30

Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

For those whom God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

And those whom God predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

For those whom God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...

This past week, I’ve been reading a book called “Rediscover Jesus” by Matthew Kelly. The words at the beginning of the read really struck me. They were words that I couldn’t get out of my head for days. In the prologue of the book, the author tells a story about a man showing great kindness and care to a stranger in need. The stranger, a blind woman, asks the man if he is Jesus, because she called out to the Lord when she was in trouble, asking for his help. The prologue ends with the introspective question: “When was the last time someone confused you for Jesus?” 

For some, they might know the answer right away. But, personally, I had to really take a moment to think about this. I had to put the book down and reflect on the question. When was the last time someone confused you for Jesus?

It can be so easy to live our days being “nice enough” or “charitable enough”. Especially right now, when even going to a grocery store can be chaotic, it can be difficult to take a step away from the busyness to ask ourselves how we can be like Jesus today. But, the hard reality is that God is calling us to be exceptional. The Lord is calling us to do our best to live up to the perfect purpose He has for our lives: “those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified”. Every single one of us is called to be like Jesus. All of us have different gifts that the Lord wants us to use for His will in our beautifully unique ways.

What does it mean to be like Jesus, anyway? Well, the Lord is love and kindness and forgiveness. After reading those first few pages in my book, I knew I needed to make a greater effort to start every day asking the Lord to help me love others as Jesus loves. Although that’s quite impossible with all of the flaws that come with being human, it can’t hurt to try right? I pray to have the courage each day to discern God’s will for my life and to strive to be an image of his Son. Amen. 




​Megan Noye
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