Memorial of Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr
Driving anywhere can be tough in winter weather between accidents and slick spots. Obstacles can come out of nowhere it seems. Now, as glimpses of warmer weather are appearing, the dreaded orange barrels are starting to come out of their hibernation bringing new challenges for smooth sailing. When talking about driving, we would like to get from point A to point B obstacle free. It seems logical then, that in our faith journey, many of us desire to be unencumbered by suffering or frustration as well. It is fascinating that today’s readings mostly suggest that roadblocks are spiritual opportunities to stop and ask a question, like “Why Lord?” Or “how are you using these events to transform me?”
The question put to Jesus in today’s gospel seems more like tattle tailing than a genuine question about how to proceed next. The apostle seems to be saying to Jesus “let us prevent those other people for doing work in your name, we have a corner on the market.” Their wording implicitly suggests the way God works and who God works through. Jesus’ response is priceless; ”Do not prevent him…For whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mk 9:40) Why would anyone want to prevent the Lord’s work from being accomplished? If you think about it, it happens more often than we would expect.
Oddly enough, in Sirach, it seems as if Wisdom herself is the one who holds the servant back. Or perhaps, it is the Lord’s Spirit allowing us to be put to the test to make us stronger. It is through trial, discipline and purification that we are forged until our soul is full of trust. Although unpleasant at times, what seem to be obstacles in our faith journey are often instruments through which the Holy Spirit is trying to transform us. In wisdom, we must recognize these times of purification as gifts from the Lord as opposed to spiritual roadblocks. Through embracing the law of love and the gift of these obstacles, we can embody the great peace that the Lord wishes to bestow upon us.
This great peace was surely known to Polycarp as he was lead to his martyrdom. Let us, like him, “Stand fast, therefore, in this conduct and follow the example of the Lord, ‘firm and unchangeable in faith,…loving each other, united in truth, helping each other with the mildness of the Lord, despising no man.” (Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians).
-Michael Montgomery