The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
“Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” This line in today’s Gospel hit extra hard for me. I suppose it is because I am currently in the heart of an intensive language and cultural immersion in Central America. In a quite consistent manner, compared to what I am used to in the United States, I more deeply encounter poverty, illnesses, bodily defects, and hunger. This season of my life has been filled with many lessons; especially, to be attentive to the things that are often easy for me to waste: food, money, clothes, etc...
I have a sense, though, that our Lord is communicating something so much more profound here. Throughout my immersion experience here in Central America, I have hit so many walls. Whether it be the language challenges, the cultural newness, or general homesickness — I have hit so many walls of my own limitations, my own insufficiencies, and my own brokenness. Thankfully, none of this is new or unique to myself. I am sure the place many of us find ourselves is a place similar to where I am currently at.
Upon praying with today’s Gospel with a heart seemingly consumed by my limitations and struggles, it seemed as if the Lord was saying to me, “Let nothing be wasted.” It is so easy in times of difficulties and challenges to white-knuckle my way through things or to sweep everything under the rug and ignore the difficulties. I have to remember the truth that nothing of what is given to the Lord will be wasted — including my limitations, insufficiencies, and brokenness!
Why is this important to do? I think of the words of St. Mother Teresa: “Suffering has to come because if you look at the cross, He has got His head bending down--He wants to kiss you— and He has both hands open wide--He wants to embrace you. . . Suffering, pain, sorrow, humiliation, feelings of loneliness, are nothing but the kiss of Jesus, a sign that you have come so close that He can kiss you.” We have a tender God that desires to openly receive from us not only the positive things in our lives, but also our pains. He wants to receive us as ourselves. Let’s cry out to Him, allow Him to meet us where we are at, and allow Him to remain close to our hearts. This is where transformation happens. This is how trust increases and love for Him grows.
Zinjin Iglesia is a seminarian for the Diocese of Arlington, VA studying Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. He enjoys all things coffee, good eats, kombucha brewing, traveling, and encountering God through beauty. Please pray for him as he continues to discern a vocation to the priesthood of Jesus Christ!