Before You Ask

February 27, 2007

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8

Piety

Father, in faith, hope and love, you know what we need before we even ask. Despite our quest for more material possessions, greater position in society, and greater influence in business and education, you know our real purpose is to build your kingdom.

Jesus, help us to go about the work of building the Kingdom of God on earth. Teach us to use God’s grand gifts in this endeavor. Teach us God’s Word so we fulfill its promises.

Holy Spirit, be with us today and always as we seek through fortitude, prudence, justice and temperance the right relations with those around us and the right relationship with God.

Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/022707.shtml

Who am I? Why am I here?

Entire religions and schools of philosophy have tried to answer this basic question. Today, the Bible points us toward one answer. However, we must go beyond ourselves and our human endeavor to contemplate such a question and even to hope to approach an answer.

Our identity and divine purpose is not about our career objective on a distant resume. It’s not about our education or some quantity of diplomas and degrees. It’s not about our material possessions, riches, or “toys.” It is about what God want us to be, to do and to accomplish in His name.

Today, Isaiah teaches that the gifts we get from God are sent in order to fulfill their divine purpose or destiny. They are not just pretty objects but are given to us freely to “water the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats.” In corresponding fashion, God’s word has a divine purpose to fulfill and it will achieve the ends for which God sent it through the actions of God and God’s children.

That’s where we come in. Why are we here and how do we find out what to do? Jesus indicates that to get closer to that answer, we must get closer to God. He tells us that the path to that close relationship is in prayer…and then he teaches us how to pray. Even though God knows what we want and need before we ask, we need to send our requests to God. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a prayer that reveals our relationship with God, our purpose here on earth and how to achieve our mission.

Some might say we are praying for the inevitable in light of the earlier reading from Isaiah on the destiny of these gifts and God’s Word. If God’s Word does not return to heaven unfulfilled, what role can we possibly play in that fulfillment? Are we even necessary? Won’t that purpose be fulfilled even if we do nothing?

The Lord’s prayer indicates that is our work which will determine when exactly, God’s Kingdom is established on earth. We pray that “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This petition sets the tone of the prayer, and shifts the balance toward divine rather than human action in the petitions that immediately precede and follow it.

“Give us today our daily bread” is our way of praying for a speedy resolution – today – of the Kingdom of God. “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” Jesus teaches that our actions on earth now have their counter part in actions initiated in heaven.

Action

Life is not about pursuing a little gold statuette at Hollywood and Vine. Despite the ink spilled on the Oscars and the little statues, Christianity is not about winning awards for oneself but doing things without reward for others “as we forgive others who trespass against us.” And the trespasses are everywhere:

Turmoil in Somalia.

AIDS in Africa.

Crisis in Darfur.

War in Iraq.

Taliban in Afghanistan.

Uprising in Haiti.

Insurgent activity in Pakistan.

Does it never end? Where can one person act and make a difference? Rather than spreading out on every issue, why not consider the tack taken at Arlington, VA, parish Our Lady Queen of Peace.

During Lent 2007, for almsgiving, parishioners are asked to consider a sacrificial gift to support a sister parish in Haiti. Does your church have a sister parish? If so, why not see how you can focus support on that congregation.

If your parish does not, why not start a relationship with a sister parish?