A CUT ABOVE THE
REST
“If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you....” – Matthew 5:30
Aron
Lee Ralston is widely known for having survived a canyoneering accident
in Utah in 2003, during which he amputated his own right arm with a
dull multi-tool in order to free himself from a dislodged boulder that
had trapped him there for five days and seven hours. After he freed
himself, he had to climb down a 65-foot cliff face to reach safety. He
documented this in his book Between a Rock and a Hard Place. He doesn’t see what he went through at the time he lost his arm but rather, when he got back his life.
Hopefully we don’t have to reach that point where we have to physically
cut off a body part, too. But there may come a time when we may find
ourselves between a rock and a hard place, like maybe finding a bag with
the money you desperately need at the moment to pay for your son’s
operation. Or getting a big bonus at work for keeping quiet about some
anomalous transaction. It’s like deciding between the devil and the deep
blue sea. Our choice will reveal who the real Lord of our life is. Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)
Reflection: “And
what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
Abba, grant me the courage to “cut off” whatever is necessary when I find myself being tempted.
St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church, pray for us.
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