Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In the midst of today’s many issues, sometimes I feel like there is nothing that I can do to help create justice and healing. Today’s gospel reading tells us that Jesus quietly was bringing hope to people in ways that were not always seen or heard. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be like Him bringing peace, love and justice to all people. Jesus shows us that there are small, quiet and yet powerful ways that we can make a difference in the world around us.
In today’s reading from Matthew, Jesus realizes that the Pharisees are plotting against Him. Even so, many people continued to follow Him and Jesus cured all of them. He asked those He healed “not to make him known.” Jesus did not have a need or desire to showcase His love and healing in a way that brought about his fame and glory. Matthew quotes Isaiah describing Jesus as “God’s beloved in whom I delight.” Jesus does not “cry out” and no one will “hear his voice in the streets,” and yet he brings justice to victory. Through these actions of mercy and compassion, Jesus brings hope to the Gentiles- in other words- everyone is included.
Bringing justice, peace and healing in the midst of a pandemic seems almost impossible. How can we go out into the world, when we are being asked to stay close to home and physically distance from others for their health and safety. Could God be calling us to become better educated about the past and our history, so we can better understand the challenges and injustice that are present in our society today? This knowledge may soften our hearts and open our minds to find ways to strive for equality and justice for all.
Maybe God is calling us to become more aware of legislation that supports and lifts up those that are oppressed- the poor, the immigrant, and the outcast of our society. Through our words and deeds we can speak up for these people through advocating change as we address our political leaders.
Maybe God is calling us to work on healing our relationship with others. God realizes that our surroundings may limit our actions, but that does not mean that we are any less able to build a world that has love and forgiveness as its foundation. It may be small things- running an errand, making a phone call, wearing a mask, or even sharing a smile- these are simple and yet can provide great comfort and support for another person.
As we recognize our need for God in our lives, maybe we can become more mindful of God’s presence in our daily activities. The more we recognize the work of the Spirit in our lives, the more we are able to experience God’s love. Becoming more aware of God’s compassion for us can transform us to become more merciful to others. The healing flows from God to us to others. This flow does not require banging drums or clanging cymbals- God’s love and grace flows simply, freely and in all directions as we become the conduits. Just like Jesus, we can become people that bring hope even in the midst of these times of despair.
St. Teresa of Calcutta did many amazing acts of healing and compassion. One of her often-quoted sayings reminds us that not everyone is able to do what she did. Her words seem particularly meaningful today. “We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” In our small ways as we continue to stay physically distant, we can still do small things with great love and thereby work towards peace and justice thereby bringing hope to the world.
'Loving Father, Jesus shows us how to bring love and healing to others in the midst of tribulation. May Your Spirit guide us in ways to grow in compassion and peace, so we can “proclaim justice” to the world and be emissaries of your hope. We pray this through and with Christ. AMEN
- Marylynn Herchline