Famine Upon the Land

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

By Melanie Rigney

Yes, days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send famine upon the land: Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord. Then shall they wander from sea to sea and rove from the north to the east in search of the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

(Jesus said to the Pharisees who questioned his dining with sinners:) “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

Piety

Open my ears, my mind, and my soul to Your words, Lord, difficult as I may find them to digest at times.

Study

We all go through spiritual droughts, those times that we seem to lack a connection to God. In those times, it can be difficult to discern just what He is asking from us.

Still harder, at least for some of us, are those times God is speaking perfectly clearly and plainly to us… and saying things that we so very much do not want to hear:

• End this relationship. It’s not pleasing to Me and it’s not good for you.
• Get help for this addictive behavior. You’re destroying the very body I provided so you could do My work.
• Take on this new ministry. I know it’s scary. I know it’s out of your comfort zone. But I’m here at your side as you attempt it, succeed or fail.

So we wander from pillar to post, consulting with this priest or that deacon, with this spiritual adviser or that trusted friend. We keep looking for someone to tell us that that hard choice isn’t really what God is saying, that the status quo is safe. And someone will be quite happy to tell us that, if we search long enough. He is the enemy, who preys upon our love of the known, no matter how unpleasant it may be. He counts on us not listening to the words that come from God and whispers to us that those words aren’t meant for sinners like us.

We may think that saying yes to the predictable protects us. But in actuality, it sets us on a course that leaves us restless, dissatisfied… and hungry for the only food that truly satisfies.

Action

What is God asking you to do that you are either studiously ignoring or pondering far too long? Let today be the day you listen and obey.