Reflections
for Sunday, October 3, 2010
The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith,
shall live. The Prophet Habakkuk simply states a sort of norm of the
spiritual life. The rash person has no wholeness, no integrity, because
instead of working for stability and depth, he rushed in immediately and
does not really take the circumstances into account or even whatever is at
the heart of a matter.
The Gospel from Luke today tells us that we are really servants of God and
that we do whatever we do simply because it is the right thing to do. We
should not always be expecting some of kind of praise from our God.
Perhaps we have met people who have told us: I did everything that was
asked of me but I never seem to have met God or to have been touched by
God.
Probably most of us would be delighted to meet God, to have some deep
personal experience of the living God. Some people do have that kind of
religious experience. On the other hand, many of us are like Saint Thomas
the Apostle and don't really accept any experience of God as authentic
unless we can see and touch the Lord by ourselves.
The first reading and the Gospel seem to be saying to us today that we
must walk slowly, be attentive and trust that in the proper time, God will
reveal Himself to us as He wants us to know Him. The person who takes
time, who finds joy in everything that happens, who is willing to believe
in God even without seeing or touching—that person often receives a deep
understanding of God's presence.
Part of the wisdom of spiritual advice always to slow down and to
recognize that God is with me right now. I don't have to go anywhere or to
do anything, just be still in the presence of the Lord. Sometimes we can
be so intent on looking for our God in the way that we want God to be, that
we simply overlook His presence in our lives at every moment.
Be still and wait in patience. Perhaps we can on do that when we already
believe. On the other hand, there is a point in our lives where we must
simply decide: I believe. Or some will decide: I don't believe. The one
who decides not to believe will have different challenges than the one who
decides to believe. For those of us who have chosen to believe, to accept
the very fragile gift of faith that is offered to us, the world really
changes day after day. We see God present everywhere and at all time.
May we be aware this week that we all belong to the sane family: those
who trust in the Lord. May that trust grow in us and draw others to the
Lord Jesus.
Readings of the day:
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
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Reflections are available for the following Sundays:
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