“Strength and Haven in God” by Beth DeCristofaro

 “Strength and Haven in God” by Beth DeCristofaro

 

Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

 

Lectionary: 482

 

Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10)

 

‘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.’ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!” (Luke 13:32-)

 

Piety

Have mercy on me, O God, as I struggle with myself rather than submit to you.  May your praise, Jesus, be ever in my heart, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Holy Spirit, animate my actions to spring from God’s joy in my heart.

 

Study

Have you ever watched a nature documentary of a cheetah stalking then chasing her prey on the veldt?  Have you been impressed and admiring of the figure skater who lands a quadruple quad - especially if you can’t stand up on skates?  Have you been in awe of doctors or social workers who year after year serve populations that struggle with insurmountable economic odds or make bad choices yet remain dedicated to what seems a losing battle?

 

Jesus is unfaltering in his mission to bring wholeness, healing, and salvation to his people.  He remains undeterred and undistracted toward this goal and remains in harmony with God.  A cheetah hunts for survival.  Is not our survival as humans, created in God’s image, dependent on our need for God?  The skater accepts long, grueling hours of practice plus injuries to perfect her jump.  Our time spent with God becomes more fruitful with fewer vacillations as we practice, request, and open ourselves to God’s strength.  Inner dedication propels the caregiver to fix or to care.  God is with us in that inner dedication, closer than we know.

 

Jesus’ beautiful image of the brood hen sheltering Jerusalem under his wings is comforting and nurturing.  It is especially poignant as he clearly understands that Jerusalem rejects him.  He will shelter us.

 

Action

Can we stoop, filled with the strength of God, to be comforting and nurturing to someone who rejects us?  Ask for God to grace you with a “yes.”  Be God’s strength and haven to someone.

Illustration:  A modern mosaic of a mother hen protecting her chicks—on the altar of Dominus Flevit Church on the Mount of Olives (Matt 23:37; Luke 13:34)