Daily Reflection – 12/16/2022
Sacred Scripture
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.?”( John 5:33-36)
Reflection
Approval is the most fleeting commodity there is. It is true that we all seek it. It is nice to hear the compliments of others. And, with some, it is an absolute requirement for their day. Very few of us are indifferent to what other people think of us. If we meet with disapproval, we tend to think that there is something wrong with us. We sometimes measure our worth in relation to how others see us. Human approval can confirm us in our sense of self-worth. Human disapproval can undermine our sense of self-worth
Often, we retreat to our inner room where we can be alone and where we can hide from being judged. It’s dark in the inner room and darkness leads to more darkness.
And the biggest mistake we make is believing we are alone in that room.
We are not.
Jesus is there. Waiting to heal. Waiting to hear us ask for him. Waiting to surround us with his love. Waiting for us to see the bright light of his love for us.
There is only one approval that matters – not yours or mine but the approval of God. Jesus tells us that specifically in today’s scripture. Themore important question is not ‘What do others think?’ but ‘What does God think?’ ‘How does God see me?’.
Look at His life on earth. The very opposite of human approval is human rejection. Jesus experienced the ultimate in human rejection by being crucified. Yet, at the very moment when he had lost all human approval, he had the approval of God. God was faithful to him and raised him from the dead.
And perhaps you ask: “How do I win the approval of God?” The simple answer is by being Jesus. What? you say. I can’t be Jesus! But you can. Of all the works that Jesus performed, there was one that stood out above all. It was His humble and all-encompassing love. Jesus was genuine, honest and pure of heart. He exuded every virtue one could have. It was His ordinary actions of love, care, concern and teaching that won over many hearts first and foremost. His miracles were profound, but His believers came and followed Him because of who He was.
You may not be able to perform miracles but you can act as a beacon if you allow the Heart and Love of our Father to shine through you in your daily actions. Even the smallest action of genuine love speaks volumes to others.
THAT is your call and mine. Yes, we will often fail but every time we succeed will speak volumes to those who know us and THAT is what winds the approval of God.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, grant me the grace to be real, genuine and sincere. Help me to become a pure instrument of Your Heart so that all my actions will give testimony to Your love.”
Daily Note
The Lord Jesus reveals to us the very mind and heart of God. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, he opens our ears so that we may hear his voice and he fills our hearts and minds with the love and knowledge of God. It is that love and transformation that sets us free from sin and grants us the promise of eternal life.
