MINISTRY BEGINS AT HOME
For months, I had been struggling to let go of a resentment towards a housemate who hadn’t been doing his chores. No matter how much I prayed, I still found myself frustrated and angry each week as I completed my chores but my housemate neglected theirs.
Though the matter was simple, the idea of addressing this conflict was terrifying and paralyzing. I was afraid of being accused of nagging but I didn’t want to keep enabling this inconsiderate behavior.
During a mass, I finally cried out to God in my prayer, “I can’t take it anymore!” In the silence, I felt a nudge to address the conflict directly…a call to ministry at home.
When my housemate and I were alone, I spoke with him. My heart raced and I fumbled over my words as we both became defensive. Before the conversation could veer off-track, my housemate asked me, “What are you trying to tell me?” God then gave me exactly the words to say to him without shaming him. Though tense, the conversation ended with his agreement to do his chores and my thanking him.
I couldn’t believe I survived! God worked through my housemate and protected me like he did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when King Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a white-hot furnace in today’s first reading.
Even in the most anxiety-inducing tension, Jesus delivers me as he says he will in today’s gospel: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
May God’s word remain in me today so that His truth may set me free.
Nate Dias
Photo credit: https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/take-two/extra-grace-required-in-science-faith-relationships