Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the 14th week in ordinary time, 14 July 2023
BE PREPARED FOR RISKS
Our meditation today has the theme: Be Prepared for Risks. Getting ready is a mental state full of attention and alertness for actions or deeds to be carried out. If the action is something normal, ordinary and planned, readiness can be understood as something normal and ordinary. But if what is faced is a risk or danger that comes often unexpectedly, that readiness must be something extraordinary.
The risk for Israel (Jacob's family) in the land of Canaan who decided to emigrate to Egypt can be classified in readiness to face risks. The most serious thing was that they had to become foreigners in the land of people who did not believe in God unlike them and had to submit to being slaves under Egyptian rule after the death of Joseph. This risk is the same as accepting the reality of crawling on the ground to be trampled by people compared to living in the promised land of Canaan.
Jesus gave a list of risks and dangers that were awaiting for His disciples because they had believed and used His name. The most serious thing was that they had to experience suffering and persecution like Jesus Christ experienced. This means they were to prepare to lose their lives. This risk is heavy and not to become a slave to any human being, but to become a servant of God. This risk is faced with preparedness, not for the fulfilment of physical needs or survival like the Israelites. This is the price of a call to follow Christ. Its real motivation is spiritual.
Preparation for the risks is different from daring to face risks. Being prepared contains a spiritual power where a person is calm, optimistic, confident and willing for whatever form of risk would be faced. If the risk is heavy and unexpected, he will face it with enthusiasm, willingness and smile. If the risk is small, he does not underestimate or just relax. While the one who dares refers to the determination to react against the risks that will be faced. Even clash and conflict in words and actions easily occur between the opposing parties.
As followers of Christ, we deserve to choose an attitude of being prepared, alert and attentive, because this is a priority. The scriptures always give us advice and commands to always be ready, alert and attentive to God's signs. This attitude will be very useful if we are faced with the risks of every choice we make. Choices and decisions related to our faith and calling do have great risks, so we should be prepared to face them.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father... In Your power O Father, enable us to face all forms of risk for choosing to side with You, by following Your Son Jesus Christ. We hope that by going through those risks, we can achieve perfection as You yourself are perfect. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of the Father...