Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Sometimes I tire of hearing people (including myself) use the phrase “God’s will”. Really it is not that I find the concept itself tiring but the fact that it is made to seem so mysterious and hard to discern. Actually, I think it is simpler than we like to make it. The Church guides us in this with her teachings, traditions, the Commandments and within our individual faith communities. More than one wise person has suggested to me that God’s will is simply my doing the “next right thing”. Now that is something I can handle!
Today’s first reading from chapter 6 of the book of Micah ends in a plea asking what the Lord desires—“burnt offerings…thousands of rams…myriad streams of oil…my first born?” (Mi 6:6-7). Could any of these offerings possibly repay the Lord for his unconditional love and mercy? The answer to this question is the same today as it was then: “…Only to do the right and to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God.” (Mi 6:8). In a broad sense this Scripture expresses God’s will for each one of us in our lives.
The Gospel passage from Matthew presents the polar opposite of God’s will. The Pharisees are demanding a sign from Jesus to prove he is performing exorcisms and healings by the power of God. Clearly frustrated with their persistent rejection, Jesus calls them “...an evil and unfaithful generation…” (Mt 12:38) and proceeds to warn them that the only sign they will see will be the sign of Jonah. Jesus’ intense frustration, even anger, was certainly intensified by the fact that the Pharisees wielded such power and control over so many people who were weaker and lower in status than themselves. Their hearts were contracted and cold, their minds closed, and their eyes completely blind; I suspect no sign would have convinced them anyway. Doing the right, loving goodness, and walking humbly with God does not characterize the behavior of the Pharisees nor does it reflect the message they carried to those they influenced. The disposition of their hearts precluded their even considering whether they might be following God’s will in their lives.
I find myself wondering where my eyes are blind today and what areas of my heart are contracted. I am on the road and at least aware that discipleship requires a life dedicated to seeking God’s will in an ever increasing way. But today that short little passage from the reading from Micah tugged at me. “… Only to do the right and to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God” sounds like a “heart thing” to me. And, for me, whenever I am able look back and say I followed God’s will in a certain situation I also want to be able to say my heart was involved as well. I am sure God wants my obedience. I am sure humility is pleasing to him. But I think God’s will for me is that these things are an expression of my love for him….loving goodness. This is the “heart thing” that tugs at me. I can so easily find myself doing “right” while having mixed motives. Whether it be to gain approval or exert influence or whatever my particular weakness that particular day and that is exactly when I find it more difficult to discern God’s will for my life. On the other hand, when I am “prayed up” and truly set my heart towards the God I love I find I stand a much better chance of making my way through the day open to the graces that will surely guide me in the way HE desires. Then the “next right thing” becomes ever more obvious and easy to discern. I pray my heart will lead me there more often and more easily as I walk with my God.
O God of Love and Mystery,
Draw my deepest attention this day,
Allow me to walk humbly with you
And show me the right I must do.
Open my heart with your goodness
and break my heart with your love
Make my only desire that which you desire
With Mary’s intercession
In Jesus name, I pray,
Amen
-Gail Lyman