Humility and love to fight temptation

“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Lk 4: 1-2

Growing in loving others

As part of my studies during my seminary years I had to go to visit the sick at National hospitals. I tried to convince my superior to do another subjects but he kindly insisted I must do CPE as part of my priestly training. I accepted despite that hospitals were scary and very depressing places to me because I felt the support from my superior.

Each time I had to visit the sick I returned home very tired emotionally and physically, feeling like a worn out battery. Each visit was a test to my limits. After a few visits I overcame my fears and became more confident visiting, talking and praying for and with them. It was a good training towards my priestly life and ministry.

Now, I do those visitations in solidarity with them, exercising the tender love, patience and compassion they though me while in training. I learned to be a brother to the patient, nurses and doctors.

The sick person lives the mystery of faith deeply and fruitfully because they wrestled the spirits, looking for the consolation of God, keeping hope, faith and love alive.

Our batteries never died in that we can always succumb to sin. No matter our age, the devil is always seeking to lead us astray. We cannot afford to be overconfident and putting yourself in dangerous occasions. The devil´s motor is always running.
  

Grant me Wisdom and prudence.

Heavenly Father,
too often I tell myself
that I can handle this situation.

I forget that I am weak,
and the devil is no one to play with.
Remind me not to put myself
in the near occasion of sin.

I ask for your Holy Spirit
to grant me wisdom and prudence.

With your grace I will follow you.
Amen.

What areas and occasions of sin do I need to avoid?

Let God Handle the hurt

“Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.” Leviticus 19, 18 

We all get hurt, sometimes quite deeply. Nonetheless, we cannot give in to the temptation to hold a grudge and become resentful and mean-spirited. In the book of Leviticus, we are reminded of the obvious: “Do not steal. Do not swear falsely. Do not defraud your neighbor. Do not cause others to stumble. Do not bear hatred. God warns the chosen people for their own good not to hold to a grudge. Holding on to a hurt wounds us by destroying our spirit. It fills our heart with poison. Let go, and leave the hurt in God´s hands. The charge we hear in Matthew’s gospel is also well-known to us: “Whatever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do to me.”

Externally, these teachings are not that complicated; the letter behind them is clear.  But internally, the challenge gets tougher, as we aim to embody the spirit that animates them. Today, let us pray for the grace to see—and respond to—Jesus in every person we meet, especially those most in need. In doing so, we will strive to follow the Lord’s charge to the Israelites: “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.”

Help me with you grace

Father, It is hard to forgive an injury, especially when it is at the hands of one whom we love. 
It does not come easily or naturally. 

Help me with your grace to forgive and surrender any feelings of bitterness and hatred. 

It may not be easy, but I need to do it so you can fill my heart with you peace. 

Amen.

Do I need to empty my heart of any hatred or grudges?