One Minute Reflection – 16 April – He comforts such as are troubled

One Minute Reflection – 16 April – Tuesday of Holy Week, Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”…John 13:21

REFLECTION – “He was troubled, then, who had power to lay down His life and had power to take it again.   That mighty power is troubled, the firmness of the rock is disturbed, or is it rather, our infirmity that is troubled in Him?   Assuredly so, let servants believe nothing unworthy of their Lord but recognise their own membership in their Head.   He who died for us, was also Himself troubled in our place.   He, therefore, who died in power, was troubled in the midst of His power.   He who shall yet transform the body of our humility, into similarity of form, with the body of His glory, has also transferred into Himself, the feeling of our infirmity and sympathises with us in the feelings of His own soul.   Accordingly, when it is the great, the brave, the sure, the invincible One that is troubled, let us have no fear for Him, as if He were capable of failing, He is not perishing but in search of us [who are].   Us, I say, it is us exclusively, whom He is thus seeking, that in His trouble we may behold ourselves and so, when trouble reaches us, may not fall into despair and perish.   By His trouble, who could not be troubled, save with His own consent, He comforts such as are troubled unwillingly.”…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Almighty Father, we are slow to understand.   In that love that You have for us and the grace, mercy and forgiveness You grant us. You gave Your only Son to save us from ourselves, help our lowly hearts, that we may understand Your love and in our smallness, offer all of our hearts, minds and souls, back to You in total submission and love.   May Your saints and angels, help us on our way by their prayers and may Mary, the Sorrowful Mother of our Saviour, grant us, her heart, to love You in return.   We make our prayer through our Saviour, Your Son, Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.