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Wednesday
of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
November
28, 2012
JESUS’ BATTLE PLAN +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø In
today’s Gospel Jesus assures us that in the life of a disciple there are sure
to be conflicts, challenges, feelings of inadequacy, and stumbling blocks of
all sorts
Ø These
turbulent times will, as he says, “Lead
to your giving testimony”
Ø That’s
quite a promise!
Ø He
quickly adds that we should not prepare for this testimony, for this response
Ø Why?
Because he himself will give us what we are to say…and what we say will leave
those involved in the conflict powerless
Ø So
it’s clear: conflicts à
unprepared testimony à
disarmed adversaries
PREPARING
FOR BATTLE +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø What
might be the best way to implement Jesus’ words?
Ø Step
1: Acknowledge
the turmoil, upset, sadness. Don’t deny it
Ø Step
2: Prayerfully Listen. Relax, be still, put all thinking out of your head
and in the silence allow the Lord to speak. After all silence is God’s language
Ø Step
3: Wait
in the silence for the words, the response, to take form in your heart. Notice
I said your heart, not in your head.
Ø Step
4: As the words come from up from your heart, speak them. TESTIFY
Ø ACKNOWLEDGE / LISTEN / WAIT
/ TESTIFY
CONCLUSION
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Now
the last line of the Gospel makes sense: “By
your perseverance you will secure your lives”
Ø Not
by your perseverance in the conflict
Ø Not
by your lofty assaults
Ø Not
by being stronger than your adversaries
Ø But
by your perseverance to ACKNOWLEDGING /
LISTENING / WAITING / TESTIFYING
Ø The
locus of power has moved from us to God working in and through us
Ø The
victory is God’s
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
