How can I, on this Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time—when the Gospel challenges me with “whoever does not #accept”—embrace the call to accept my identity, my role in the climate crisis, the new life arriving at The Glenn, and the journey to Graham, Texas for Daniel’s fundraiser, all while praying for his miracle through the intercession of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, without denying the body and mission God has entrusted to me❓
Gospel
People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.
Lectio Divina on the Word “accept“
Each day, I am called to accept the reality of my life and the responsibilities that come with it. I must accept my identity as a child of God, a steward of creation, and a father who desires the best for his family. To reject any of these truths would be to deny the gifts and mission entrusted to me. The Lord asks me not to resist but to accept His will, even when it challenges me.
I must accept my role in caring for the world around me, recognizing that my choices impact more than just myself. If I fail to accept my responsibility for the climate crisis, it is no different than refusing to accept the truth of who I am. Just as I accept that The Glenn is a place where life is nurtured, I must also accept that my actions can either build up or tear down the balance of creation.
Sviral’s song I Accept Who I Am emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s identity, responsibilities, and personal journey. Just as the song speaks about self-acceptance and the courage to acknowledge one’s true self, the reflection highlights the necessity of accepting God’s will, our role as caretakers of creation, and the responsibilities placed upon us. Both convey the idea that true peace comes when we stop resisting who we are meant to be and instead fully accept the mission and identity given to us.
At The Glenn, I accept the changes that come with each season, including the arrival of puppies, lambs, piglets, and chicks. New life is a reminder of the beauty of God’s creation and my duty to care for it. Just as I prepare to accept these animals into my care, I must also accept the responsibilities that come with love, faith, and family.
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This identity is lived out as a call to holiness and a sending
out in mission, inviting all peoples to accept the gift of salvation (cf. Mt 28:18-19).
Today, I accept the call to travel to Graham, Texas, to support Daniel and his family. While I continue praying for his miracle through the intercession of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, I accept that my journey is not only about prayer but also about action. Love requires sacrifice, and to accept this is to accept the depth of true compassion.
The 2006 movie Accepted highlights the importance of embracing truth, responsibility, and one’s circumstances rather than rejecting them. In the film, Bartleby and his friends create a fake college after being rejected from real universities, only to realize that true growth comes from accepting who they are and taking charge of their own education. Similarly, today’s Lectio Divina emphasizes the necessity of accepting our role in caring for creation, our responsibilities to others, and God’s will—even when it challenges us. Both the movie and the reflection show that rejecting reality can lead to deeper struggles, while true fulfillment comes when we accept what is before us and make the most of it.
If I resist these truths—if I fail to accept my role, my responsibilities, and the will of God—then how can I claim to be living in faith❓ The Gospel reminds me:
Learning to accept our body, to care for it and to respect its fullest meaning, is an essential element of any genuine human ecology.
FROM PARAGRAPH 155 OF THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME