Scripture Reflection for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 8, 2004
Graduation Day
We all want to be God's chosen children, and today's reflection will help us know how to capture our Father's heart a little more. The readings teach us what we should value as opposed to what is better left to the moths. And once we've passed the tests of this world, we'll be ready to graduate to heaven.
Don't Pass Me Over!
Our Christian ancestors started the Passover tradition in days of crisis, murder, and mayhem. Marking their doorways with the blood of a slaughtered lamb (what an awesome symbol!) protected them from enemies. These outward signs marked homes that held faithful families.
I look around my home and wonder: if Jesus came today, would He recognize my home as a place of faith? Are there outward signs in view? Yes, there are some, but not nearly as many as the material items that fill up most of our houses such as televisions, computers, and other trappings of the modern world.
Like the Passover signs long ago, we have many physical reminders to help us remember we are God's chosen. We can be delivered from physical and spiritual death when we choose to see these signs. As reminders of His love and protection, we have the blessed water of our baptisms, which we also sign ourselves with upon entering and exiting a church. The transformation of simple bread and wine during Mass is a powerful and actual event in which we can gain grace and blessings. And there are many other sacraments and sacramentals through which we can see and feel His presence.
There Will Be A Test
The second reading shows that as Christians, we will most likely have a few tests and many temptations to overcome. But nothing worth having is ever really free, is it? We must also have faith in things that we cannot see, touch, feel, hear, or smell. Like our ancestor Abraham who was prepared to sacrifice his son (remind you of anyone else?) at God's request, tests are sometimes unimaginably hard.
Another kind of testing comes in the form of "crossing the desert" spiritually. This happens when we find ourselves doubting our faith or feeling spiritually dry. Often we wage war between our physical and spiritual desires in a battle of the wills. And then there are the daily tests dealing with patience, kindness, unselfishness, and the rest of the beatitudes. One way or another, we will be tested!
Making the Grade
The good news is that we are rewarded for passing these tests. Just as with His faithful Jacob who was given descendants as "numerous as the stars in the sky," God has a soft spot for us when we are obedient. With perseverance and a lot of prayer, we'll pass this life with a good GPA (God Pleased Average). And through our faith and actions, we will demonstrate that we're worthy of more than this life has to offer.
The plan to get us from "here" to "there" is simple. We should tithe of our time, treasure, and talent (the 3T's) and faithfully wait on the Lord. We shouldn't put stock in the things we're accumulating here -- material possessions don't last, while spiritual ones have an eternal shelf life. Once we've begun to overcome the materialism of this world, it will be much easier to face the trials and pass the tests that life will send our way. The sooner we begin the better. Graduation day may not be too far off!
Life Applications:
What signs of God's love and protection do I recognize and depend upon?
How can I increase my faithfulness to make it through testing times?
What are my heart's desires, and will they bring lasting rewards?
Copyright 2004 by Angie Ledbetter
All rights reserved.
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