The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I started to go to therapy four years ago. I had reached a point in my life where I no longer saw my own value and I just couldn’t seem to get life right. I found myself moving through life only to live in a constant state of passive reflection and anxiety. My anxiety ran many aspects of my life.
Going to my first therapy appointment was one of the hardest things I had ever done up to that point. I remember walking in and feeling like I was going to either throw up or pass out. I sat across from my counselor and she started speaking and to be honest, most of what she said is fuzzy but then she asked me, "Who are you?"
I sat for what seemed like hours as I pondered her question.
Who am I? I had no idea.
Four years later and I still ask God to tell me who I am every day.
In today’s readings, St. Paul encourages the people of Corinth to be free from anxiety — anxiety that takes grip on us and causes us to forget our identity as children of God. This past year has been challenging in ways that words cannot describe but this new year brings new hope and opportunities to grow in our relationship with Christ, for our own benefit.
I’m resting in the words of St.Paul:
“I am telling you this for your own benefit,
not to impose a restraint upon you,
but for the sake of propriety
and adherence to the Lord without distraction.”
Lord, free us from the anxiety of years past and give us hope for moments that are yet to come. Affirm us in who we are as children of God so we can be free from distraction and grow closer to you. Fill us with hope. Fill us with joy. Fill us with Your knowledge of who we are.
Chenele Shaw is a former youth minister, theology teacher, and current young adult trying to live her life for Christ, frequent her therapist, and eat all the cheese! She desires to be her authentic self and help others as well. You can find her watching reality tv, going to confession, and updating her Spotify playlists. Follow her on Instagram and say hey!