Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
There was a young man who was at home when a friend ran by and said, “there is a flood, run and escape with me.” The young man unmoved said, “God will save me” and went back inside his house. Another friend came by in a rowboat and invited his friend get into his boat. The man once again stated, “Do not worry God will save me.” Finally a helicopter came by and tried to rescue this young man off the roof of his house. Again the young man refused saying, “God will save me.” Then the young man passed on and went to heaven. In heaven he asked God, “Why did you not save me?” God responded, “I sent a friend, a row boat and a helicopter. What more do you want?”
In the Gospel today, Jesus is trying to make clear that he desires to save all of God’s children. While Jesus desires to save us, it is we who sometimes do not recognize the messages or the messengers of salvation. Sometimes the messages can seem harsh, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” At other times a clear message can be blocked by our own consciousness, “this Jesus is not holy because he eats with sinners.”
In our minds, we have decided the content of God’s message and how and through whom it will be delivered to us.St. Paul desires to be the messenger of the Good News, but sends a letter ahead to Timothy in case of delay. The message is one meant to strengthen Timothy and the community at Ephesus, so that their behavior will reflect their deep faith in Jesus. This message is a reminder to us to consider how our lives reflect our deep faith in Christ in all that we say and do.
Today’s psalm reminds us that one of the best ways to reflect Christ is to praise God with our whole heart. This praise can take the form of remembering all of the good things the Lord has done for us in our lives. Consider for a few minutes all that we could be grateful for.
"Gracious and merciful Lord, continue to rain your love down upon us. When we are missing the point, help us be aware that your messages and messengers are all around us calling back into communion with You who reigns one God, forever and ever. Amen."
-Michael Montgomery