Vol. 17, No. 2, April, 2012

The Lord Has the Victory
by Sr. Brigid Meierotto, S.N.C.

In this teaching, we will accept the word of God, the Scriptures, into our hearts and minds, letting them give light to us. The Scriptures are the inspired word of God which has the power to accomplish what it says, for us. Yes, for us, right here, right now.

The Scripture we are reflecting upon is Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Mark 9:30-37; James 3:14-18. Read these passages slowly, prayerfully.

As you read the Scripture, in your heart ask the Holy Spirit to explain to you the message that the Lord has for you personally. Do not doubt that the Lord will do this for you, because that is why he came, so that you can get to know and to love Jesus. "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:25f). Tell the Holy Spirit what you expect from him...something like this: "Holy Spirit, Jesus said that you would teach me all things and I believe him. Teach me that Jesus has the victory in every circumstance! Teach me that Jesus has the victory in my personal life, in the life of my family, my neighbors -- teach me that the love of Jesus conquers all! Thank you, O Holy Spirit." The righteous person suffers at the hands of the ungodly, but the Lord has the victory! The Lord will deliver the righteous. This is a living word that has the power to accom-plish in your life what it says.

James, in his letter, says that where sin: jealousy, selfish ambition, people fighting to satisfy their passions for power, pleasure, possessions -- where sin exists, there will be disorder and every vile practice. There will be disorder; things are not what they should be, things are out of order.

The book of Wisdom describes this disorder in chapter 2, verses 12 and 17-20. The righteous are those who strive to uphold God's order in their life: in all areas -- home, work, recreation, school -- those who work for peace, for justice, for the sacredness of life in every form. How are the righteous treated?

"Let us lie in wait for the righteous, because he is inconvenient to us -- he opposes our actions, he accuses us of sins against the law...let us test him with insult and torture, try his forbearance -- then condemn him to a shameful death."

Now, maybe you have gotten tired of doing good, of bringing God's order where you live: in your household, work, school, relationships. Who can fight it? Everyone's doing it -- go along with the crowd.

NO! NO! It is only God's order that gives life! Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Listen to his teaching in Mark's Gospel:

"(Jesus) was teaching his disciples, saying to them, 'The Son of man -- the son of man is Jesus, the most righteous person to walk the earth -- will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise...'"

Jesus' disciples, just like us, didn't want to hear it. They asked no questions, they were afraid of what it meant. So, they went on to talk about what really counted: their selfish ambition -- who is the greatest? Who will be first of Jesus' disciples?

Did Jesus correct them for wanting to be first? No. He clarified what being first means according to God's order: If you want to be first, then be the servant of all -- be last, and you will be first. How? Because of Jesus. You will receive Jesus and the Father who sent him. This is God's order: he who is last will be first.

If you lose your life for Jesus' sake -- you will live. If you die with him -- you will rise with him. Jesus has the victory! Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus is the Life.

Closing prayer: Thank you, Spirit of love, for teaching me that Jesus has the victory in every circumstance! Continue to teach me about Jesus and about myself, my family, neighbors -- teach me that the love of Jesus conquers all! Thank you, O Holy Spirit! ." Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!