the untroubled are in trouble
"Do not let your hearts be troubled." —John 14:1
Shortly after Jesus commanded His apostles not to be troubled, He was in agony. He prayed so fervently that "His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Lk 22:44). To be untroubled does not mean not to be in trouble. Jesus was in trouble with the authorities because of His obedience to His Father. To be untroubled does not mean to be without fear or agony. Jesus' heart was broken. To be untroubled does mean to have faith in our heavenly Father and thereby to have a peace beyond understanding (Phil 4:7).
To be untroubled means to rest in living God's will. To be untroubled means to avoid letting our troubles pressure us into committing sin. Paradoxically, to be untroubled means to be in trouble with the world, for in doing God's will we oppose the ways of the world. To be untroubled can mean even to be persecuted with all the fear and distress that comes with persecution. In summary, to be untroubled means to have the faith to accept the grace to do God's will, resist the temptations to sin, get in trouble with the world, and even deserve persecution.
To be untroubled means to carry our daily crosses. "The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18).
Prayer: Father, make me a troublemaker by Your standards.
Promise: "God raised Him from the dead, and for many days thereafter Jesus appeared to those who had come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are His witnesses now before the people." —Acts 13:30-31
Praise: Joseph is learning to pray always. Every day he prays that he will be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Jesus and Peace, order, listen to, or download our CD 42-1 or DVD 42 on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020
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