Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
As I prayed today’s readings, I strongly sensed God’s promise never to leave us, forsake us, or abandon us. I imagine that each of us, at one time or another – perhaps even today, have felt abandoned. Sometimes we feel abandoned by God; more often, perhaps, we experience abandonment by other people who should be accepting and inclusive. At times we project the rejection of others onto our relationship with God. In the brokenness of our human experience, feeling alone and isolated happens all too often. We hear God’s Word and sometimes, rather than feeling comforted and strengthened by it, we feel that it applies to others and not to us. I pray that today we might awaken more and more to the reality of God’s love and presence with us and to walk in renewed confidence that God’s promises are sure and true for each of us.
In our first reading, we find Ezra crying out to God in shame and despair. Allow your heart to break along with Ezra’s. Perhaps you can empathize with him; maybe you can relate to his experience based on something in your life. Even though he found himself in a pit of grief, Ezra recognized God’s presence. Receive these life-giving words today: thus our God has brightened our eyes and given us relief . . . For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us.
Recently I was reflecting on the consequences of sin in our lives. Sometimes we bring trouble or hardship upon ourselves when we stray from God’s path and God’s will for our lives. Even though God forgives us when we confess our sins, sometimes the consequences of our actions are ours to endure for a season. Sometimes those consequences are difficult to bear, and we may wrongly feel that God is distant during it. In those moments, shame, remorse, or regret can create an illusion of distance from God. But it’s just an illusion we create in our minds. God is especially close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18.) If you’re feeling distant, look up and encounter Christ’s loving gaze upon you.
Sometimes we feel as if we’re living in exile. Our psalm response from Tobit speaks to this experience. If that’s where you find yourself today, you might ponder these words, Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles, for though he has scattered you among them, he has shown you his greatness even there. If you feel exiled today, as the God of Israel to show you his presence and his greatness in whatever “foreign land” you’re dwelling.
At times God summons us with a particular call or assignment that feels so difficult that we’re afraid of being left alone in it. Sometimes we even hide from God because we don’t want to receive a tough assignment. In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out the twelve Apostles with a very difficult and daunting assignment. In addition to the task itself seeming overwhelming, Jesus tells them to go with no provisions and no extra supplies or clothing! Take a moment to imagine yourself as one of the Twelve. How do you feel by the end of the first day? By the end of the first week? Might you be feeling frightened, insecure, and possibly even abandoned by the Lord? And yet, before he sent them out, Jesus gave them power and authority. He equipped them for everything and anything they would face. His promise is the same for us. And we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, too – God’s constant presence with us.
So, whether you find yourself in despair, overwhelmed by the consequences of sin, in exile, or faced with a difficult assignment, know that God will never abandon you. God’s promise for you is trustworthy and sure. God will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31: 6, 8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Kings 8:57.) Let’s pray in gratitude today for God’s constant love and presence in our lives.
Elizabeth Wourms