It is so important to take breaks from the daily grind. While routines are important and foster stability, a fresh perspective and a change of atmosphere often stimulate growth. Let’s consider the example of a child in a learning environment. At some point, they are bound to become disinterested, apathetic or bored. They may claim they don’t care, that they don’t like school or begin to pout and complain. But then they are asked to go take a break, get a drink and wash their face. In the meantime, a geography lesson is set up with a large map on the floor and they begin to play a game where they jump to each state as its name is called. The next thing you know, they are even volunteering to name the state’s capital and they end up telling their parents they had a great day.
What made such a big difference? It’s what some like to call a “hard reset”. Just like you would turn a computer off and reboot it when it begins to have issues, sometimes we need to reset our current situation and start over. St. Paul speaks to this in today’s second reading: “you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” He is imploring the Ephesians to no longer live in futility but in the way of Christ, just as they were taught. He asks them to live in the truth of Jesus.
It appears as if the Ephesians needed a hard reset. They were having trouble living out their new way of life and needed a reminder of how to do so. Perhaps they needed to go take a walk, wash their face and take in St. Paul’s words in silence. They were not promised this new life would be easy, and we aren’t either. Yet they were assured that their minds and hearts could be renewed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus had shown them how to live in righteousness, truth and holiness, but this truly did imply putting on a “new self”.
In the Gospel, Jesus gives his followers yet another tool for this radical change: “my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” He gives us His very self in order that we might put on a new self in Him.
So whether you are dealing with a child struggling in school, experiencing boredom at work, or lost in the monotony of your daily routine, maybe it’s time for a hard reset. Plan a family outing, go on a retreat, or get some exercise in the fresh air and let God continue the good work in you that He has already begun.
Daily Reading
Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year,that is, of King Jehoiachin’s exile,The word of the LORD came to the priest…
Saint of the Day
Saint Euplius
Saint Euplius is venerated as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church. With Saint Agatha, he is a co-patron of Catania in Sicily.
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