Monday, September 14, 2015

When Will You Come to Me?


By Melanie Rigney

(He who aspires to become a bishop) must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil’s trap. (1 Timothy 3:7)

Of mercy and judgment I will sing; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise. I will persevere in the way of integrity; when will you come to me? (Psalm 101:1-2)

(Simeon said to Mary:) “… (Y)ou yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:35)

Piety
Lord, I beg that You give me the wisdom to see you even in the hardest times… or the faith to believe You are there even when I can’t see You.

Study
Imagine being Mary, perhaps thinking the most confusing parts are over: she’s said yes to the Lord, things are resolved with Joseph, she’s had the baby, and he’s healthy. Maybe now, life can return to normal. So she and Joseph take the forty-day-old Jesus to the temple as the rules of their faith require, bringing a pair of turtledoves since they aren’t wealthy enough to sacrifice a lamb (ah, the symbolism).

But she quickly finds that life will never return to normal. Simeon gives a prophecy that she will be pierced by a sword “so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Consider what your own reaction might be to that prophecy. What does he mean? When will it happen? And how can such a piercing reveal the thoughts of many hearts?

One wonders about Mary’s reaction. Perhaps, from time to time, she pondered Simeon’s words late at night, when Joseph and the baby were asleep. Perhaps she wondered, “Why me?” as we do so often when our lives seem to be beset by confusion and lacking clear direction from the Lord.

Or perhaps she was so confident in God and His presence that this was simply another turn in the road. And perhaps, despite her sorrow and pain at Calvary, that confidence stayed with her every moment in the years to come. Truly, her model of faith amid uncertainty and tragedy is one we can emulate, with heavenly support.

Action
Spend some time with Mary today. Listen to what she has to say about both sorrow and joy.

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