Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
There are times as the weather changes and we find the rainy season upon us, that I become nervous. This nervousness arises out of the fact that the foundation of my house leaks when we have torrential rain. The leak has sometimes been a trickle, but more recently it has forced the family to take dramatic action to protect what we value.
Foundations when built and maintained properly can last a long time. At times they need work to restore their original strength. In the reading today from proverbs, we find what is offered as the only formal prayer offered in this book. This intercessory prayer asks God for two things. They can be surmised this way. Lord, please provide my daily bread, and please protect me from all evil, lest I disrespect Your Name.
This prayer reverberates through the today’s psalm response and Gospel. This prayer, the core of which is found in the Our Father, calls upon us to trust completely in the Lord. When we take refuge in the Lord and God’s word, our focus moves from worry to peace. With confidence in the Lord’s providence, we can then be sent out to proclaim the same loving Savior who upholds our foundation. We are sent to bring the Good News to all, and promised peace to not take personally those who reject our testimony.
Lord, help us to find our refuge in You alone. Continue to strengthen our foundations through Your Word. So that no matter where You send us and how we are received, our lives give testimony to You who live and reign, one God forever and ever. Amen!
- Michael Montgomery