Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Anyone involved in scouting or who has a fireplace has probably at one point or another learned how to light a fire, for myself that ability seemed to come at an early age. The small forest behind our house was the perfect place to make fires as it was secluded, or so I thought. One day after some of the neighborhood kids and I had made a fire I got home to mom who seemed rather upset. Fires were not something to play with and I was never to do that again. Although I did not like the rule, I knew my life would be more peaceful if I obeyed my mom.
Today’s gospel is found in the same chapter as the Sermon on the Mount. All of the verses in this chapter are teachings or the rules about the way to live as a Christian. Jesus senses that his presence and teachings are causing people to think that he is abolishing the law and the prophets. His teachings challenge us, as it did then, to understand with new hearts the law of the Lord. Jesus was trying to teach the law from God’s loving point of view as a way to keep us safe, and as a way to build the kingdom of God by living what we believe.
When we live within the framework of God’s rules we are putting our hope in the Lord. Are there any other things we elevate to the level of God in our lives? Today’s psalm reminds us that when we court other gods, our sorrows are multiplied. Conversely, the psalm reminds us that the path of life leads to “fullness of joy in your presence.”
The path is not one we are meant to straddle as Elijah points out in today’s first reading. The children of Israel were adopting Baal as their God, Elijah wanted to make clear that the Lord is God alone. So he made a test for the prophets of Baal, before all the people. The sacrifice was to be prepared and God alone was to light the fire. As the fire for Baal failed to light the prophets, hopped around and slashed themselves all to call their god to action. What are the ways we show off to get attention? Elijah gave praise and called upon the Lord to burn the sacrifice and so it happened.
Consider how you live within the law of the Lord. Is there an area where you attempt to straddle the Lord’s path? Reflect upon a way to change your stance to one solely on the “path to life.” You will know you are back on the path when you sense the heat of the Lord’s fire burning within you.
- Michael Montgomery