His Word Today: Rooted

Good morning everyone,

As the period of isolation and social distancing continues to stretch out before us, many people are getting fidgety: some businesses are beginning to open their doors with restrictions, and the warmer weather is enticing us to relax the restrictions, but there are still voices calling to us, telling us to stay the course.  What is important is that we cannot afford to lose focus.  We must remain vigilant if we want to protect ourselves and others, especially during this time when we do not have a vaccine to combat the coronavirus.

Staying focused was the challenge that faced the disciples after Jesus left them.  He knew that it would not be easy for them to remain rooted, especially as the first winds of challenge began to blow.  For this reason, he prayed and asked the Father to watch over them and protect them: Holy Father, keep them in your name ... so that they may be one just as we are one (Jn 17: 11).  It is reassuring for us to remember that at all times, someone is praying for us, imploring the Father to keep us rooted in our faith, to keep us focused on the mission that has been entrusted to us.

Just as Jesus knew that it would not be easy for his disciples to go out into the world and to remain rooted, so Paul was also worried when the time came for him to leave his beloved Ephesians.  Having heard of Jesus' tender care for his own disciples, and of his prayer for God's help to guide them, Paul too spoke tenderly to the Christians that he was leaving behind: I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come among you ... and from your own group, some will come forward perverting the truth ... so be vigilant (Acts 20: 29-31).

These challenges are still present today.  We too must remain rooted in our faith and committed to the task of carrying out the mission that has been entrusted to us: to share the joy of knowing Jesus with everyone we meet, and encouraging them to discover the power of his love.  There are many ways of doing this, but all of them depend on us remaining rooted in our own personal relationships with the One who sends us out to his people.

Have a great day.