Come and See!

The Word…

“How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen!
I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene.
Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord.” …
“The vision still has its time … if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come,
it will not be late. … the just one, because of faith, shall live”

(Hab 1:2-3, 2:2-4).

“Stir into flame the gift of God that you have…Guard this rich trust
with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us”

(2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14).

“Increase our faith”

(Lk 17:5-10).

Pondering the Word…

These readings, taken together, come at a good time for me, and I’d guess for many others as well. Strife and discord, violence, misery, and destruction have been happening at the hands of humanity since time eternal, but that doesn’t make it any easier to bear. The gift of freewill that our loving and empowering Creator has given us has led to so much suffering over the millennia; suffering in God’s name no less.

At first glance, we may wonder how these three readings (and the psalm) fit together. But the message is clear: the only way for us to survive and even flourish amid dark days is to stir into flame the gift God has given us. We pray to the Holy Spirit for an increase in faith and the courage to take a peaceful, but visible and vocal stand against the forces of hate that are working overtime to divide and incite us.

“If today you here God’s voice, harden not your heart.” God is speaking to each of us every day, calling us to use our gifts to further the Kingdom. Don’t close your ears, don’t let discord harden your heart!

Living the Word…

How do you keep “the vision” alive? How do you “stir into flame” the gifts God has given you? I talk to many people who say too much exposure to the media is a sure way to douse the flame of hope, so they make a conscious effort to limit the fire-hose of bad news (And remember what I used to tell my kids: “No news is good news,” so, by definition, what you hear and see on “The News” is usually bad!) Others make a point of being in service to immigrants and the poor, those most impacted by fear of ICE raids and program cuts. It helps immensely to keep our focus on doing good in the face of those who are causing strife. And of course, daily prayer…hourly prayer…minute-to-minute prayer, asking the Spirit: What is the next just thing, the next loving thing I am to do, for others, for myself? Make a point this week to find ways to share the light of God’s flame within. Let’s not allow the ruin we witness blind us to the vision: “the just one, because of faith, shall live.”

Mon, Oct 6: “A Samaritan traveler was moved with compassion…He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds, and bandaged them. He lifted him up, … took him to an inn, and cared for him” (Lk 10:25-37). A familiar story, rich in symbolism and with many lessons for us. We’ve heard it so many times that we might not notice the tenderness and intimacy of the encounter. The Samaritan “approaches” the victim. You get the sense he doesn’t panic or worry he’s about to be the next target. He doesn’t question the man about how he got himself into this mess. He gently attends to his wounds and takes him to a comfortable place to rest. He stays with him overnight and cares for him. Provision: Be moved by compassion. Really care for others. We would praise the Samaritan even if he simply took the injured man to the inn. We marvel he was willing to give his own money for the man’s care. But the Samaritan goes more than the extra mile. He puts aside his own business to care for the man himself and promises to return to check in on him. It’s actually astounding, the sacrifices he makes. Is my care of strangers moved by deep compassion, or is it cursory? Do I go the extra mile to care?

Tue, Oct 7: “Mary has chosen the better part” (Lk 10:38-42). This story is not about Mary shirking responsibility or Martha being resentful. It may not seem obvious, but this story is about awareness. Provision: Choose the better part. We can get so caught up in the infernal “to dos” that we miss the chance to pay attention to the God right in front of us. This story reminds us to stop amid our busy days to notice and to listen to what is important, to choose the better part offered to us right now. The Buddhist master, Thich Nhat Hanh, suggests something I find so lovely: As you are “washing your teapot,” imagine you are washing the baby Jesus or the baby Buddha. Gentle loving awareness of the God who is ever-present!

Wed, Oct 8: “Do not subject us to the final test” (Lk 11:1-4). Some translations read, “save us from trials,” or “keep us from the evil one.” A Native American prayer I love reads, “I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy—myself” (https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/native-american). Provision: What’s your “final test?” We mouth the words to this essential prayer, but today, make it real. Be specific. What is the bread you need right now? What would finally test your faith?

Thu, Oct 9: “"It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping God’s command…rather must we call the proud blessed” (Mal 3:13-20). “Blessed the man who… delights in the law of the LORD” (Ps 1). The reading from Malachi is a zinger, applicable today as was the reading from Habakkuk on Sunday. It does seem that the proud and evil prosper; some might even see them as blessed. But the psalm reminds us to look beyond our limited view. Those truly blessed are those who delight in God’s command to love. Provision: Do “a practice test.” Yesterday, we talked about the final test, so let’s use the daily challenges we face to remain faithful as practice tests. When you find yourself confronted by the “success” of evildoers, those who “tempt God with impunity,” recall God’s promise: “For those who fear my name, there will arise a sun of justice with its healing rays.”

Fri, Oct 10: “When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, searching for rest but finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first” (Lk 11:15-26). No need to elaborate today on “every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste.” We get it. But what are we to make of Jesus’ distressing words about “unclean spirits” returning en masse? Provision: “Pray always.” Receiving God’s mercy, accepting Jesus as our “personal savior” is not a one-and-done. Just because you have given your life over to Christ doesn’t mean you are off the hook. Au contraire: the challenges we face may be even greater. Protecting our hearts requires constant tending and awareness. Pray always by keeping God front and center.

Sat, Oct 11: “Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart” (Ps 97). There have been some heavy readings this week, like today’s OT reading from Joel: a darkened sun and moon, the Lord applying the sickle while roaring to all the nations gathered in the “valley of decision.” And now that we are just seven weeks before Advent, we will see these ominous warnings crop up now and then. So, let’s end this week on a hopeful note and keep the psalmist words in our hearts. Provision: Be just and upright. Have faith…a light will dawn. With evildoers prospering and unclean spirits roaming around; with violence and discord so prevalent, let us commit ourselves even more to justice, goodness, and decency. Pray for the strength of compassion and the patience to hold fast to the vision.