Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
I think that I am like many people. My calendar is filled with many activities. Many of these events are things that I help with the planning and organizing. I enjoy being involved in these gatherings, however, I sometimes see myself so caught up in the planning for the future that I lose sight of what is happening in the present. I believe that today’s scripture reminds us to live in the NOW. We are called to recognize where we are, what we are doing, and how God is working right at that particular time. Although organizing and planning is important to help prepare for what lies ahead, we should not miss God’s presence and touch in the present moment or we will be unable to truly live out our lives of faith.
In today’s first reading, St. Paul reminds the readers in Corinth (and us) to not “receive the grace of God in vain.” (2 Cor 6:1) He insists, “NOW is the very acceptable time, NOW is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6: 2) St. Paul goes on to explain that our faith and salvation is lived out in the everyday experiences in our lives. Whether the present time presents with “afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings” or “knowledge, patience, kindness, unfeigned love”, each person is called to be a “minister of God.”(2 Cor 6:3-5) St. Paul explains that although others in the world may perceive believers as “being sorrowful, poor, and having nothing,” by living out our faith here and now, we will have a life of rejoicing, and we will in fact “possess all things.” (1 Cor 6: 5-10)
In the gospel reading Jesus tells his disciples that they need to live life with a new perspective. No longer should they “offer resistance to evil,” (Mt 5:39) but they should turn the other cheek, give your cloak as well as your tunic and go the extra mile when asked by another. I have always felt challenged by these sayings, but as I reflect on these words of Jesus, I wonder if He is in fact calling us to a deeper commitment to trusting in God and His will in each moment of our lives. Instead of planning for future revenge when someone strikes us, by focusing on God’s presence in the moment of our injury we can believe and trust that He will direct us to the best solution and response to this assault. If we really trust Him in the present moment, then we can feel assured that He will provide for us if we give away both our cloak and tunic. By going the extra mile instead of worrying about where we will end up, we can believe that He is leading us right where we need to be. These are definitely difficult circumstances to approach on our own, but by pausing and becoming aware of the present moment and God’s presence right there we can “grace-fully” respond in faith.
Having this minute by minute awareness of our lives and being aware of God’s presence is something that requires practice. By doing a particular activity over and over again, it becomes a habit and thereby a part of our makeup. One of my favorite books is “Abandonment to Divine Providence” by Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J. In this book, Fr. de Caussade talks about how God reveals Himself in every moment of our daily life- the joys, sorrows, challenges and blessings. He further states that if we can “abandon” our will to His- in other words accept His will in every situation that we face, then we will find happiness and peace. We must overcome our pride, attachments, fears and discouragements when seeking to find this total reliance on God. Two quotes from Fr. de Caussade capture this approach to living where we are mindful of God in every moment.
"Come, not to discuss the words of others, But to listen… For in the sacredness of every moment,Divine Grace is telling you alone all that is required."
"The essence of all spirituality is this: "Complete and utter abandonment to the Will of God!
We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of His brush …" (Jean-Pierre de Caussade)
“Heavenly Father, You fill our lives with many things- joys, sorrows, challenges and blessings. Help us to not become entrenched in our pasts or overly focused on our futures that we fail to see You and hear You in the present moment. Help us to truly live our lives in the NOW. By the grace of your Spirit, may we live our lives in imitation of your Son, so in each moment we can respond to You and Your will. May our abandonment to You, give you glory and bring forth your kingdom to the world. We pray this through Christ your Son, AMEN.”
- Marylynn Herchline