One Minute Reflection – 1 June – “He had one other to send, a beloved son”

One Minute Reflection – 1 June – The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Monday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Peter1:2-7, 20 or Acts 1:12-14, Psalm 91(90):1-2.14-15, Mark 12:1-12 and the Memorial of Mater Ecclesiae and St Annibale Maria di Francia (1851-1927)

“He had one other to send, a beloved son” … Mark 12:6

REFLECTION – “Christ has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18). Paul brings out the apostles’ greatness by showing us what kind of ministry has been given them, while showing us at the same time the love with which God has loved us.   When people had refused to listen to the one He had sent, God did not give vent to His rage, He did not spurn them but went on calling them both on His own account and through the apostles (…)

God has put into our mouths “the message of reconciliation” (v.19).   And so we come, not for some difficult work but to make everyone friends of God.   When they did not listen, the Lord told us to continue to urge them until they come to faith.   Hence Paul adds: “We are ambassadors of Christ, it is God himself who is appealing through us.   We implore you in Christ’s name, be reconciled to God” (v.20) (…)

What could be compared to so great a love as this?   When we had repaid his blessings with insults, far from punishing us He gave us His Son to reconcile us with Himself.  Yet, far from wanting to be reconciled, we put Him to death.   God sent other ambassadors to urge us and, after that, Himself became our suppliant.   Always it was He who appealed – “Be reconciled to God.”   He did not say: “Reconcile God to yourselves.”   It was not He who turned us away, it was we who refused to become His friends.   Can God experience feelings of hatred?” … St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – 11th homily on the 2nd letter to the Corinthians

PRAYER – Lord God, You bestowed the Holy Spirit on Your Apostles while they were at prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus.   Fill us too with the gift of Your grace in the Holy Spirit, that we may live our lives both in prayer and action and grant, that by Mary’s prayer and the prayer of Your servant, St Annibale Maria di Francia, we may give You faithful service and spread abroad the glory of Your name, by word and example.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Your divine Son, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen.