Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
What do you expect from God? This may seem an odd question, but have you ever asked this of yourself? If you do nothing else today, ask yourself this question. I think my expectations of God are often very low. I go through the day taking care of what is scheduled on my calendar and, if nothing unexpected happens, I end the day feeling that everything is okay. I look for God in the little things pretty often. I try and do the right thing and always take time to reflect a Scripture that has struck me. I even spend time in silence trying to listen to God. But there is always so much more.
Today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark relates the Pharisees asking Jesus for a sign. Variations of this scene are found in all four Gospels. Jesus has been performing numerous healings and exorcisms all along the way and yet nothing has been acceptable to the Pharisees. In many ways, we can see how their expectations have been met. Basically, it has less to do with Jesus than it does with their personal awareness and rigidity. They live according to a set of rules and standards and are become completely closed to anything that does not fit in with their way of seeing the world. We can often find ourselves in this same position. What would I think if someone told me God was performing miracles in my very presence each and every day? Honestly, it may be easier to think of them as strange or mistaken than it would be for me to admit that I may actually be blind or unaware of God’s constant action in the world. So…how aware am I of all the marvelous deeds that God does in my presence each and every day? Am I willing to admit that my awareness may not be so great? And what do I really expect from God?
I am convinced if I live my life expecting great things from God that is surely what I will get. And awareness, which must precede any real expectations of God, is a gift I can ask for each and every day. A deepening awareness of God’s presence and action in every facet of creation, and indeed my own life, is part of discovering who this Amazing God is! Surely in discovering who He truly is, in developing friendship with Him, I will find he not only meets my highest expectations—but always, always exceeds them.
--Gail Lyman