trash-talk
“Every hair of your head has been counted.” —Matthew 10:30
Today is haircut day. The apron I wear as I sit in the barber chair is covered with little shavings of white hair. When the haircut is over, the barber removes the apron and shakes it out, spreading those hairs all over the floor. Then he sweeps the floor and throws my shorn hair into the trash. God has counted all the hairs of my head (Mt 10:30), even those that are of no account and were cast into the trash.
As Pope Francis often says, we live in a throwaway culture. Secular society treats so much as disposable and not worthy of regard: aborted babies (except for their body parts), the aged who are past the age of productivity, the unprofitable, those in prison, etc. Yet Jesus taught that “all are alive for Him” (Lk 20:38).
Jesus recycles people who have been discarded (see 2 Cor 5:17). He fertilizes the unfruitful over and over and pours out His grace continually upon them, even though others regard them as mere clutter (see Lk 13:7-9). Our trash is Jesus’ treasure. Jesus takes the most unloved, heals and forgives them, restores their souls (Ps 23:3), and creates a masterpiece out of their lives.
Even if you have thrown away your life, give yourself now to Jesus. Nothing is impossible (see Lk 1:37) for the God Who treasures every hair of your head and refuses to discard you.
Prayer: Jesus, I empty the trash can of my life and place it at the foot of Your cross. Take my life and recreate it in Your image.
Promise: “Whoever acknowledges Me before men I will acknowledge before My Father in heaven.” —Mt 10:32
Praise: Laura repented of aborting her child. Jesus delivered her from self-hatred and raised her up to lead a ministry in her parish.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Check our website for a full listing of the retreats offered this summer.)
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