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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Being with Christ and in Christ

Being with Christ and in Christ

Published Jul 1, 2023 04:10 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY


Matthew 10:37-42

The First Reading narrates the story of the kindness of the woman from Shunem. When she had a room built for the prophet Elisha, the prophet rewarded her with the promise of a son she and her husband had long longed for. They were rewarded by God for their generosity to his messenger. The Second Reading, on the other hand, underlines the close association of the baptized person with Christ. Baptism becomes the means of grace through which God binds the soul to the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. Even though the baptized does not experience physical death, it is as if he had already died since the sacrament binds him to the death of Christ. The same could be said of the resurrection; the person is united to the resurrection of Christ. The baptized, indeed, is conformed with Jesus, that is why he is called a Christian, an alter Christus. Jesus states in the Gospel that the good deeds intended for his followers are intended for him. While the rewards are spoken of, focus is rather on the intimacy of the disciples with Jesus. Jesus speaks first about loving him above all, of taking up the cross, and of losing one’s life. We surely cannot do these things if we are not intimate with him. Cultivating closeness with Jesus will enable us to do these things which seem to be truly hard for the uninitiated. The importance of prayer is best understood in the light of cultivating friendship with the Lord. As one prays, one absorbs the internal disposition of the Lord himself. When we meditate on his passion, we are drawn into his self-giving sacrifice and his abandonment of self to the will of the Father. Scriptures provide us with food to feed our soul with thoughts that bring us closer to Christ. Forming a habit of prayer cultivates our friendship with him, so we become friends with him in prayer. When we are often with a particular friend, we learn some of his or her ways. So, when we associate with Christ, we also learn from him. And when we share in his life of self-giving and sacrifice, we also share in his rewards! Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023.” E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).

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