The Finger of God March 23

Prayer

Dear God, today, let us enter into your room and seek a close moment with you…so close that maybe one of your fingers will touch us and we will hear your call. We are a people who don’t listen too well. You know that. So to cut through the clutter or advertising, junk mail, telemarketing and all that inundates us daily, you sent us your Son, our brother Jesus to be the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the Word and delivered your message. Jesus, touch our ears today so that we may hear your words. Let us hear in a contemplative way…but then guide us to walk in your ways and do what you command. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/032306.shtml

Imagine for a second being at the Vatican when they are deciding which readings to place together on a given day. Every day of the week the readings give us a three-act play. Act one has to introduce the theme. Act Two has to fill in the action. Act Three has to deliver the dénouement – the conclusion – the resolution.

Act One: When we get passages that begin, “Thus says the Lord,” I always sit up straight as if the priest is looking to see who will not pay attention to those powerful words. (Thus Says The Lord. Maybe we should making TSTL bracelets to coordinate with all the WWJD paraphernalia out there).

Listen to my voice;then I will be your God and you shall be my people.Walk in all the ways that I command you,so that you may prosper.

Jeremiah reminds us that all we have to do is listen to God and walk in his ways. Like Micah. Listen in prayer. Listen in study. Then move to action.

Act Two: Psalm 95 gives us a neat little formula for how we can put ourselves in a place to hear God’s message. It’s hard to hear God with the TV blaring. It’s hard to hear God with the I-pod® ear buds your favorite songs. It’s hard to do reading the Post on Metro during rush hour.

Formula:
1) Come into his presence
2) Take a posture of reverence
3) Listen and open your heart

Act Three: Then Luke comes across with rising action and conclusion. The Psalm and first reading have set the stage for people testing God. Now Jesus (TSTL) delivers the conclusion after the people have tried to test him.

“…if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.”

The Finger of God. Jesus doesn’t need an army of angels to drive out demons. Jesus doesn’t need the staff of Moses. Jesus doesn’t need the wrath and fury of God to fight with Satan. All he needs is one little finger of the Almighty.

Action

Today, let that little finger tap you on the shoulder. Let it beckon you from across the room and whatever activity with which you are overly pre-occupied so you can be close to God and listen to the message God will whisper in your ear.

As he whispers in your ear, let the finger of God rest on your shoulder to drive away whatever demons you face. Then, be the finger of God for someone else. If Christ has no body now but yours, he needs you to walk in the ways he commands. Christ needs your fingers to drive out the demons that torment those around us and our society. What demons will your fingers drive out for Jesus today?

Can you give warmth to someone who is cold during this unseasonably harsh early spring? Can you ease the hunger in someone’s stomach? Can you quench the thirst for justice felt by the poor and oppressed?

Friday nights in Lent at 6:15 St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax has Lenten Soup Suppers. For those closer to Arlington, on those same nights Our Lady Queen of Peace has Stone Soup Suppers at 6:30. Is the finger of God inviting you to come to one of these? Why not plan to spend the even there and see what message God has for you.

Listen. Then Act.

(PS: Happy Birthday to Beth.)