Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter Yrs 1 and 2 2025

Title

Don’t be Anxious, Trust

Outline

We all have a tendency to worry

We want to be in control of our lives and situation, and when we realize we are not in control or we project an outcome that is unpleasant, we worry or become anxious or attempt a coping mechanism, such as lying.

This is so automatic that we all tend to slip into it.

Jesus tells us to trust him

Listen to our gospel: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” We could translate this “You trust God (or are committed to God), also trust me.” Their particular fear was that Jesus would leave them. He says, “Trust me. There is plenty of room in “my Father’s house” where I am going - I am just going to get your room ready and then I will return for you.

Thomas is still worried, “How do we get there?” Jesus replies, “By me.” “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

How do we do this?

That is the question, for it is one thing to know that something is true and another live it. I suggest that when you are feeling anxious you stop, take a deep breath saying “my Jesus,” and when you breathe out say, “I trust in you.” Or you can use, “Jesus, king of love, I put my trust in your merciful goodness.” I go before the Blessed Sacrament, for I have a chapel where I live, ever day praying like, often silently, over whatever issues disturb me. One could also use a favorite icon or a crucifix or whatever helps you feel in the presence of Jesus.

We will likely never be perfect before we see Jesus himself, but we can progress away from anxiety and towards perfect love by such practices that bring us closer to Jesus. Let us practice so as to live in the way of love and joy.