+JMJ
This week, I have been praying specifically about the subtle deceits of the devil in my life. Not the obvious sins. Not the glaring faults. But the hidden habits of the heart—the ones I barely notice.
I have been asking the Lord to reveal to me the things I do wrong without realizing it. The attitudes I justify. The interior movements I excuse.
And He answered.
The Sermon On the Mount
While meditating on the Sermon On The Mount (Matthew 5), one verse stood out to me:
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. –Matthew 5:41
I do not struggle with the action of going the extra mile.
In fact, I almost always go above and beyond what is expected of me—sometimes to a fault. I have worked myself into the ground more than once. I almost always say “yes.”
But here is the subtle deceit:
I allow bitterness and resentment to take root when I am asked, again and again, to do more.
It builds slowly. Quietly.
It creates an interior atmosphere that is not Christ-like—a heart tinged with contempt, annoyance, and anger.
Outward obedience. Inward resentment.
This is where the enemy hides.
At The Foot Of the Cross
In prayer, an image came to me.
I am kneeling before Jesus on the Cross. I pull out a paper scroll. As I unroll it, it stretches far longer than I expected—liken a cartoon. It just keeps going.
On it is a list of everything I asked of Him. So many things.
I being reading them one by one. I am kneeling before Him while He is dying on the Cross… but I am busy reciting my list.
As He is dying…
And I am still asking.
That is when it struck me.
I look up at Him—in agony.
I ask so much of Jesus. And He has gone far beyond “two miles” for my sake. He gives freely and lovingly—without bitterness, without contempt, without resentment.
Even while dying.
Who Is “The One” Who Asks?
The words “the one” in Mathew 5:41 pierced my heart.
“Give to the one who asks of you…”
Who is the “one?”
My boss?
My husband?
My children?
My friends?
Strangers?
The One is Jesus.
He is the One who ultimately asks everything of me. He is the One who asks me to give more, to love more, to serve more.
If Jesus stood physically in front of me and asked me to do the very tasks I am asked to do each day, would I refuse Him? Would I say “yes” with bitterness?
No.
If He were visibly the One asking, I would serve joyfully and without resentment.
So, this week, I tired something: I pictured Jesus in the place of every person who asks something of me.
It did not make the tasks easier. But it gave me peace.
So the words of St. John of the Cross struck me deeply….
Jesus carried the weight of the whole world—willingly, compassionately, and with perfect love.
He asked to carry everything. And He did.
So I must silance my pride. Pick up my cross. Follow Him.
Not just in action. But in heart.
Because the true battle is not in whether I go the extra mile.
The battle is whether I go it with love.
What crosses is Jesus asking you to carry right now?
Do you struggle with resentment while serving others?
How can you grow in genuine love for your neighbor?
May we learn to go the extra mile—not with bitterness, but with the joy of Christ.
Thriving in Jesus, my friends!
If you would like to read and pray a personal mediation associated with this Contemplation, go here.
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