Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Good Samaritan hospital, in Dayton, OH, is closing its doors at the end of this year. Uncertainty and anxiety can be difficult to manage. We do not know what is going to happen but we do know that the goal is to get us all jobs. In the same way we do not always know how a health care crisis will go, but we do know that the care team is always doing their best to help someone heal. In both of these examples what is required it a trust that God is there and a hope for the positive.
The queen of Sheba hopes that the leader of Israel is all that he is rumored about him. She heard King Solomon is one of the wisest people in the world. Her visit allowed her to experience his wisdom first hand. Not only was the queen of Sheba able to ask any question from her interest, but Solomon was able to answer all of her questions. She was so awestruck by Solomon’s wisdom that the scripture says she was left “breathless”. What leaves us breathless or gives us a sense of wonder and awe? Perhaps these are instances of God trying to answer one of the nagging questions of our heart. But what is truly the most wise statement from this reading comes from the queen herself. “Blessed be the Lord, your God.” If we can meet the questions of our heart with the wisdom of the queen, we might fully appreciate the Gospel message.
In the gospel today, Jesus, is explaining a parable to his disciples so that their hearts might fully appreciate his message. Jesus had been preaching about how evil enters and comes out of the body, through the metaphor of foods both clean and unclean. Yet this parable was not really about food. Ultimately, it is about the Jesus’ desire that our thoughts, actions and our hearts be pure.
As we go through our day today let us be mindful of: the thoughts we entertain, what words that we speak, the desires of our hearts. Our minds, lips, and hearts are given to us so that with positive hope we would bless the Lord and all creation. If you are struggle with evil today invite the Spirit to be your wisdom, a light unto your path.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit, and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen!
- Deacon Michael Montgomery