October 29, 2009
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Romans 8:31-33
At that time some Pharisees came to him and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' Luke 13:31-33
Piety
“You Are Mine” by David Haas
I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near
I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light
Come and rest in Me
Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine
Study
Did you ever try to run and jump the 100-meter hurdles in a track meet? Three steps and a leap over a nearly 3 foot high fence. Another three steps and leap. Another three steps and leap. For runners who have the physical ability, the race can be over in a fleeting few seconds. The world record is a fraction over 12 seconds. For those who are slow and unable to leap, the race can take what seems like an eternity to go 100 meters.
Some of us can do it and some can not. That’s how it is with God’s love. Some of us can overcome the obstacles (hurdles) that line the path to a true relationship with God. Others need help.
As we consider the obstacles we have to God’s friendship, consider this: Who alone can conquer every obstacle? Not us. Some of us can leap over some of the hurdles but all of us can not overcome all the hurdles. But God is not keeping time on some heavenly track meet. God is at the finish line and will come to get us like the Father running down the road to greet his Prodigal Son if we stumble because only God can conquer whatever obstacle is in our way. God will go to any length, even offering up his own son to save us -- who turn our backs on him daily. The reading from the letter to the Romans today reminds us that nothing can keep us from the love of our God.
Not even Herod or the Pharisees could stop Jesus from his redemptive-salvation mission in the world. Not even execution could stop Jesus because he was here to conquer not only the obstacles of sin but also the obstacle of death as he sought to restore us into a loving relationship with the Father. The notes in the New American Bible explain that “Nothing, not even Herod's desire to kill Jesus, stands in the way of Jesus' role in fulfilling God's will and in establishing the kingdom through his exorcisms and healings.”
Last Sunday, our Joyful Noise choir sang “You Are Mine” during Mass. The God portrayed in these lyrics by David Haas is the God portrayed today in our readings from St. Luke’s Good News and St. Paul’s letter to the Romans.
God will come to us in the silence. God will come to us in the noise.
God will reach across our fear. God will reach across our joy.
God will overcome all the noises that try to keep us from hearing his voice.
God will overcome the visual pollution that blocks our sight of him.
God will light the way we need to go.
God will bring us home. Why? Because he loves us.
Action
Jesus continued on his way to Jerusalem. Nothing and no one could make the cup of death pass from his hands. He prayed often for this cup to pass him by yet God alone gave him the strength to accept the cup and carry it to the end.
What obstacle do you need help overcoming?
Maybe we don’t face the obstacles which affect some in this world. Daily hunger. Abject poverty. Polluted water. Scarce food. Yet for all of our “wealth,” what is it that marks our poverty? Physical illness? Addiction to one of the substances or actions that mark modern life in the industrial world?
Is that or something else among your obstacles to God’s friendship? What do you need from God to overcome that obstacle?
