Saturday, I was advised by a priest...

Saturday, I was advised by a priest to pay particular attention to the Sunday readings. This was a bit surprising, as I did not know this priest, nor did he know anything about my personal situation. While I do listen to the readings, I did as he said, and paid particular attention this time, pondering them. They did have some relevance for me.

The first reading, Jeremiah 20: 10-13, was comforting. These last few years have been very difficult, the last few months particularly so. I know lots of people go through times of struggle far worse than mine, but, to be honest, knowing that doesn't always help.

Psalms 69: 8 - 10, 14, 17, 33 - 35 was equally comforting, reinforcing the reading from Jeremiah.

But it was the gospel, Matthew 10: 26 - 33 that really spoke to me.

"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known."

This again reinforces the 1st reading and the Psalm. There is no need to fear the actions of others. These sorts of stones can only hurt if I let them.

"What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops."

I take this to mean not to be fearful about speaking out. Not about others who have hurt us, that's for God to deal with. But, rather, about life and how it relates to the gospel.

I tend to be a very private person, not wanting to focus on myself, so I post infrequently, and only at length. Well, God doesn't speak to us infrequently, but throughout the day, on big things and small. Sometimes I don't pay much attention, sometimes I can't NOT pay attention. But I tend to keep it to myself, Or I mean to speak out, but it get's lost in the shuffle of day-to-day living.

I'll try to do more roof-top shouting. If it helps others, that's what God wants for all of us... for all of us to participate in the building-up, and refrain from tearing down.