April 1, 2011
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
By Melanie Rigney
Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the LORD, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them. (Hosea 14:10)
I am the Lord your God: hear my voice. (Psalms 81:11)
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:32-34)
Piety
Lord, please help me grow in faith so that I may ask You less and trust You more.
Study
The scribes and the Pharisees, it seems, were always trying to push Jesus’s buttons, always trying to get him to say something blasphemous or otherwise contrary to the law.
Imagine, then, the surprise of all in attendance when a scribe praises Jesus for his answer to the scribe’s question about the greatest commandment. Is it any wonder the questions ceased?
It’s part of human nature to ask why—or why not. Curiosity drives medical miracles and technological breakthroughs. But putting questions to God can leave us more frustrated and perplexed: Why did my child die? How could You let the mess in the Middle East fester? What was the point of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? When are You going to help my spouse get clean and sober?
God often doesn’t answer those questions on our timetable. In fact, sometimes He doesn’t appear to answer them at all. Painful and incomprehensible as that is, that’s where faith and trust come in, the belief, no, the knowledge, that God always provides for us, just as He offers in today’s first reading, where Israel is almost begged to return so that God may heal the people’s defection and love them freely. Like Israel, all we have to do is accept the offer, and walk in the straight path.
Action
Just for today, don’t ask God for a single explanation or favor. Instead, offer prayers of gratitude for what you’ve been given.
