Reflection by Kerri Baunach
Today's Gospel: John 14:1-12 - 5th Sunday of Easter
I was most struck in this Gospel by Jesus’ words near the end, when He says, “The Father who dwells in me is doing His works.” Then He tells the disciples to believe because of the works themselves. And at the very end He says that believers “will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.” When we hear this word “work” we might think of our day-to-day work in a place of business or in our homes and we may also think of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. I am also reminded of the Rule of St. Benedict. In Chapter 43 of the Rule, St. Benedict talks of the "Work of God”, by which he means prayer, specifically the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours that is prayed 5-7 times a day.
Contemplating the many connotations of work, what can be greater than what Jesus Himself has done for us? Can our work and prayer in our everyday life be works that are greater than His? I think about the saints, specifically those who were tortured, suffered greatly, and martyred for refusing to deny Christ. I think of the great missionaries who risked it all to spread the Gospel in distance lands. And then I think about the cloistered religious. Do they too perform great works for the Lord? Of course! Their prayers are powerful; they can save the world and never leave the walls of their monastery. So then what about me? I believe that Jesus looks at the simple work that I do: the menial tasks of keeping a home, the distracted, imperfect prayers I offer, and the raising of my children, and He sees great works even in these simple things.
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Ponder:
Are you doing great works for God through the simple tasks and prayers of your day?
Pray:
Dear God, thank You for blessing me with work that brings glory to You. Help me to always recognize my daily prayer and work as loving offerings to You throughout each day. Amen.
Copyright 2020 Kerri Baunach
Kerri Baunach lives in Lexington, KY with her husband and three boys. She’s a Benedictine Oblate with the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in Indiana, heads up the Vocations Ministry at her parish, and is a former writer and editor at CatholicSistas.com.
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