Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
As a parent I look back and remember the various stages of my relationship with my children. At each stage of their growth and development, it was important to meet them where they could understand what I was asking them to do and why. As small children, I would try to explain things to them, but I would still expect them to obey although they may not entirely grasp the entire situation. As normal children, they would question, challenge, and sometimes disobey. When this give and take is done with love and mercy, the children can develop a greater sense of trust in their parents. As children mature into adults, the hope is that they will be secure enough in their relationship with their parents that they accept and respond positively to the guidance of their parents. If they have come to know the great love that the parent has for them, they know and believe and therefore can accept the wisdom offered. Our relationship with God also grows as we come to know Him and His love in greater ways. Today’s readings call us to examine how we interact with God. Each of us is called to a deeper trust and understanding of who God is, and with this knowledge we are invited to grow our relationship with Him.
In the first reading from Genesis, the author gives us the opportunity to witness the relationship between God and Abraham. God ponders the importance of sharing with Abraham about His plans to impose justice upon Sodom and Gomorrah. God recognizes that if Abraham “is to become a great and populous nation and all the nations of the earth are to find blessing in him” (Gen 18:18) Abraham should know of God’s thoughts. Just as a parent tries to help his child understand certain circumstances so he or she can grow in knowledge and better judgment, God decides that Abraham would benefit from this revelation. God states, “I have singled him out that he may direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord.” (Gen 18: 19) Abraham responds like a trusting child. He hears God’s words, but challenges Him. “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place?” (Gen 18:23-24) And God responds in mercy, saying He would “spare the whole place for their sake.” (Gen 18: 26) What a remarkable interplay between God and Abraham. Here is God- Father- creator of the world, sharing His thoughts and vision to His child. And here is Abraham- his son who he created- believing so much in the mercy and love of God that He pushes Him over and over again to “not destroy it” for 40, 30, 20 and 10 innocent people. God illustrates His great desire to be in relationship with Abraham, and Abraham responds with great faith and trust in God’s love and protection.
In the gospel reading, God (through Jesus) calls his disciples to a deeper relationship with Him. Jesus calls us to the most mature kind of committed love. He explains that a true disciple will put God before all things and all people. Jesus tells the scribe who states, “I will follow you wherever you go” (Mt 8: 19) that to be His follower you must be like Jesus who “has nowhere to rest his head.” Jesus implies that he has no home or worldly possessions that prevent Him from going forth on His mission. Jesus takes it even further when he says, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” (Mt 8:22) Jesus calls each disciple to place Him and their relationship with God above all other relationships-parents, children, spouses, and friends. This type of mature commitment requires great love and trust in God and His will. We can see this kind of relationship lived out completely in the relationship between Jesus and His Father. Jesus calls each disciple to follow Him, and He shows us how it is done.
The readings today remind me of the importance of taking time to reflect upon my relationship with God. If I believe that He desires to share with me His thoughts and will, do I take time to stop and listen? Do I trust Him enough that I can share with Him my concerns and challenges? Do I believe so much in His mercy that I can take myself and those around me and plea for His forgiveness? Could God be calling me to a deeper commitment to Him? Are there things or people that stand in the way of my relationship with Him? I know that each of us in on a unique journey that Jesus calls us to follow. The beginning of all relationships is communication, and therefore to grow in our relationship with God I believe we need to start with prayer. If we open up the dialogue with God, we will have the opportunity to learn of His great love, mercy and protection. Aware of God’s kindness and compassion, we can become like mature children trusting in His wisdom and doing His will in our lives.
Heavenly Father, you desire to be in relationship with us. Through your Son, Jesus, you show us how we are loved and how we called to respond in love and trust to your call. Through the grace of Your Spirit, give us open hearts and minds, so we can hear You speak. May our relationship with You continue to grow and mature, so that we can be like Jesus-living our lives according to Your will. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline