Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading, Abram knows what to do. He and his nephew Lot are rubbing shoulders a little too much. We’ve all been there: as family, sometimes we don’t get along so well. There isn’t enough space for all of us, all of our personalities, or all of our stuff. So we fight. But Abram knew the right thing to do. He and Lot are family, so they should try and be at peace with one another. Since there wasn’t enough room in the land for both of them, Abram suggested they separate. But he didn’t know what type of land he would get stuck with. For Abram, for you and I, and for all people of faith, the results of doing the right thing aren’t our concern. We don’t do what’s right because it will give us an advantage. We are free to do the right thing because we believe God will take care of us.
Of course this is not how the world says we should act. Every form of media is oozing with advice about what we need to do to control our destiny. Whether it’s tricks to keep your kitchen clean, tips on saving money, or how-to columns for fixing and maintaining your property, we only have to open our eyes to read something else telling us how to get results! It’s not wrong. Lot looks around for the good piece of land, and takes it… and he isn’t condemned. But because he took his security into his own hands, he did not receive the blessing and protection of God that Abram did: “Set forth and walk about in the land… for I will give it.”
Jesus tells us in today’s gospel to enter the “narrow gate.” The way of a disciple doesn’t look like the way of the world. Doing the right thing without worrying whether the results will be favorable or not is just strange! Abram did the strange thing. He gave Lot first pick of the land, to buy peace between his family. Let us ask ourselves today: “How ‘strange’ is my life because of my discipleship?” God has a fabulous, delightful, unsettling plan for the rest of your life. If you life doesn’t look weird, you may be missing out on it! Trust in him. May we follow Christ in Love, without regard for where it will get us.
-Chris Nieport