Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Do you ever get tired of seeing the news stories about the Catholic Church? I find I have gotten into the habit of cringing involuntarily each time I see a headline. What new crisis or scandal will it be? Then there are the conversations with fellow Catholics and the interesting conversations with people outside the Church. Even worse is the temptation to discouragement and feeling as though things cannot possibly get better. It can become difficult to see the big picture and navigate these matters from a truthful perspective.
I have found that reading and praying with Scripture is the most important way of keeping balanced perspective everyday. While reflecting on today’s passages, I began asking myself just how much I trust the Word of God. When so much of what we see and hear about the Church stands in such stark contrast to what we know of the Kingdom of God, it is important to make a conscious decision about where I am going to put my faith this day. Will I put my faith in the Word and live that decision in a purposeful way this day?
Today’s reading from Isaiah begins with a magnificent vision of the Kingdom of God. “I create new heavens and a new earth; old things shall be remembered no longer. Joy of yours, pride of yours, this new creation will be…and the sound of weeping and lament shall be heard among them no more” (Is 65: 17, 18, 19). The Responsorial Psalm echoes this sentiment: “ So thou didst bring me back, Lord, from the place of shadows, rescue me from the very edge of the grave…sorrow is but a guest of the night, and joy comes in the morning” (Ps 30: 4,6). Will I make a conscious decision to put my faith here—in the Word of God? Far from burying my head in the sand or ignoring the truth, consciously making a decision to put my faith in the Word is the only way I can hope to live out the God appointed purpose for my life.
In the reading from the Gospel of St. John, Jesus has just returned to Galilee and, his reputation of performing many miracles having preceded him, was received with open arms. A nobleman approached Jesus asking him to heal his son who lay dying. Jesus said to him that his faith was based on seeing signs and miracles, but told the nobleman to journey home and his son would be healed. The Scripture says “And the man began his journey home, putting his trust in the words Jesus has spoken to him” (Jn 4:50b). This man had traveled a long way to seek out Jesus. Like most of the people of Galilee who welcomed Jesus, he had heard stories of Jesus and his miracles. I find it fascinating that all Jesus had to do to inspire trust in this man was to talk with him…have an encounter with him. Being a parent, I might have pleaded and begged and caused a scene to get Jesus to come home with me to heal my child. But that is not what happens in this story. “Go back home,” Jesus told him; “thy son is to live” (Jn 4:50a). Jesus’ words were all it took for the man to trust.
I know, as we all do, that our Church (and all of creation) is in need of reconciliation and healing. It is exactly at this time a strong and unwavering faith in God and his Word is most necessary if there is any hope of continuing to work toward bringing about the reign of God’s Kingdom. That is what we are chosen, called and sent to do. One of the most powerful gifts from God, our free will, is at our disposal to carry out this commission. Each day we have the opportunity to consciously decide how we will live that particular day. I pray I may I always stay aware of this opportunity, stay close to the Word of God, and choose to live each with faith and purpose to the glory of God.
O Holy Creator God,
Send me the presence of your Spirit this day.
Dispel any temptation to discouragement.
Strengthen my faith in your Word!
Grant me the grace to make a conscious decision each day
to live in that faith purposefully.
With the intercession of the Blessed Virgin,
In Jesus holy name. Amen
-Gail Lyman