Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
It’s been said, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger?” For most of us, this statement brings very little comfort. Adversity is not likely to ever be seen as a friend of our faith, yet its existence demands we adopt a pro-active approach and response. As human beings it is difficult to imagine being fully prepared in advanced for the struggles that we will encounter, however our awareness is in itself important preparation.
Paul is acutely aware of adversity, as he is writing from imprisonment, yet his vision is not held captive. While Paul alludes to confinement, his devotion to the Lord, and to the people of God rises from the text as the heart of his message. Paul uses his own life experience and struggles to give encouragement and hope to Timothy. Paul’s words remind us that we too must stay firm in our faith and bear hardship with courage. His testimony is that we must look beyond our selves to the “grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
The Sadducees struggled in the looking beyond life’s circumstances as well. Although their questioning of Jesus focused on the implications of marriage for the eternal world, the question focused on marriage as it exists in this world. Their question came from the teaching of Moses, and their understanding of an example in Deuteronomy. Jesus’ response was that they didn’t understand the scriptures or the power of God, for if they did they would not limit themselves to human categories. Jesus explains that marriage is of this world not the world beyond.
As we all are currently living in this world we can empathize with Sadducees and their struggle to look beyond, however we have something they didn’t. We know that Jesus rose and we have a community of believers we call “church” to help us see beyond our struggles. While the circumstances of this world can be important, they must not impede our vision of the next. Our responses to struggles betray the direction of our vision.
Briefly, make a list of the things that are the cause of your greatest worries or anxieties. Of these things, which is consuming the majority of your energy? Prayerfully reflect upon one of these matters and place it in the hands of God. In doing this you may be better able to look beyond your world and lift your eyes to the Lord who is enthroned in heaven.
- Michael Montgomery