In today’s Gospel, Jesus knew what Peter, James and John could withstand.  When they fell to the ground in fear, He spoke encouraging words, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” Jesus knows what I can handle too.  He speaks to me when I am weak, troubled with problems, worried, disappointed, scared… Jesus says to me, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”  That works for me because I don’t like wallowing in misery.  I’m a “let’s fix this and move on kind of girl.”  I thrive on hard work and immediate gratification.  I lack patience in situations that take time to resolve.  I pray all the time.  Yet, I don’t always remain still enough to hear God responding to me.  And like you, I’m dealing with many issues that cause me stress.   

My husband often keeps “his head buried in the sand.”  He lets me take on the problem solving and he just happily lives life without worry.  Bill also can’t resist food that is not good for him: cookies, Haagen Dazs ice cream, Taylor ham-egg-and cheese, pierogis, Italian pastries, cold cuts on white bread, crumb cake, milk chocolate.  I made appointments for him to have a full cardiac work up.  Low and behold, he’s now on a statin drug every day, must clean up his diet, lose weight and exercise.  Years of nagging didn’t help, but now we’ll rise up together and do what needs to be done.

Worrying, is what Mom’s do.  Each day, I fear my son’s safety as he fights fire in Philadelphia.  Yet, Jesus tells me to “Rise, and do not be afraid.”  My other son purchased his first home a few years ago, when there was 2 feet of snow on top of his land.  When the snow finally melted and he took a walk on his property, he found that his land was used as a dumping ground and no one disclosed this information to him.  We’ve trucked out hundreds of loads of old tires and construction material and old carpets.  I could cry for him.  Instead, together, we fearlessly “Rise” and do what needs to be done.    

Today’s Gospel is all about changing, being fearless and trusting God even when our problems overwhelm us.  It’s about stopping long enough to feel Him working within us.   I’m blessed to offer hope and encouragement to the teens I minister to.  I tell them that God wants them to be strong in faith.  Jesus continually leads me to mountains and reminds me that I am not alone.  It is I that must make room in my heart for Jesus and then I’ll feel His glory working within me.   I owe Jesus everything for listening to my prayers!  I am grateful to all of you too!  For when I shared my daughter’s heart-breaking miscarriage with you and asked for your prayers, I felt them!  And… God willing, I am going to be a grandmother in September!!!   Christ’s radiant glory is with us!!!