“Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” // Luke 11:45
I pictured myself as part of the crowd while I read this Gospel. The Holy Spirit took this opportunity to stir my heart as I reacted to the conversation. I was shocked by the scholar. The audacity to reply in such a bold and self-righteous way. Who did he think he was to speak to Jesus like that?
After sitting with the Gospel and pondering my response, I realized that I can relate to the scholar. I cringe with the realization that I too have acted insulted. I too have bristled at the Lord’s words, at the Church’s doctrines, at the precepts which are true and holy. “Why does the Church expect ___ from me?! Those people don’t understand my life. God loves me no matter what . . . .”
But woe to me for thinking I’m any better, wiser, or holier than Christ, Who teaches us through doctrines and traditions passed down by the Magisterium of the Church. Woe to me for closing off my heart to the Spirit, Who would increase my understanding and faith if I only but asked for it. Woe to me for my personal dissent, for caving to human weaknesses rather than follow the Spirit in faith and trust.
Perhaps it is precisely His loving will for me to feel this way, like a prick to my conscience that self-reflection is needed. I take it as a sign that I need to dig deeper, increase my understanding, and realign my heart with His. In His mercy, God continues to call me out in my selfishness, my pride, my ignorance. God-willing, His gentle yet firm chastisements lead me ever closer to His heart.
Sister, if this strikes a chord with you too, take heart. The Lord wants to bear fruit in our lives. He prods our consciences to help us weed out vices and habits which prevent us from bearing true fruit in our lives. Ask Him today to shower you in His mercy, lead you away from sin, and be open to whatever spiritual fruit He wants to grow in your life.
The Lord wants to bear fruit in our lives. // Gina FenstererClick to tweet
Gina Fensterer is a wife and mother of six children. She is passionate about finding God in the ordinary moments of her vocation. She loves Adoration, praying with Scripture, long morning walks, and fitness. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Read more by her here.
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