Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Our world seems overwhelmed with suffering, death, and disasters. It sometimes feels that God is missing. Today’s scriptures remind us that God has promised us to be in our midst, even in the times of sorrow, pain, and loss. Jesus assures us that He knows our suffering, and we are never alone. We need to pay attention to the many ways that God is in our midst.
In today’s first reading, the LORD reminds Zechariah that God will be “an encircling wall of fire” and “glory in the midst” of Jerusalem. God calls Zechariah to proclaim a time of rejoicing, because God will dwell among them, and they will be God’s people. After great suffering and destruction, Jerusalem will once again flourish. There is a great sense of hope and restoration as Zechariah reminds the people of God’s covenant love, and God’s desire for mercy and renewal.
In the gospel reading, the disciples are caught up in the amazing deeds that Jesus has performed. Jesus tells them, “Pay attention to what I am telling you.” Jesus then goes on to explain that He will be handed over and experience suffering and death. The disciples are unable to understand this idea. How could the Son of Man who comes to bring glory and power to the nation undergo such suffering and even death? The disciples are afraid to explore this idea, so they do not ask Jesus more about this saying. It seems that Jesus is trying to help the disciples understand that His mission on earth was not confined to amazing deeds. Through His choosing, Jesus connects with the poor, the lame, the outcast, and even chooses suffering and death. Jesus wants His disciples to pay attention to the fact that Jesus is present and participates in the suffering of this world. God’s mercy, love and compassion are most evident in God’s oneness with those in great need. The disciples struggled to see this truth until after Jesus’ resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit. Once they recognize God’s plan of salvation, the disciples become aware of their mission to share in Jesus’ plan to accompany others. In both the amazing deeds and the struggles of this world, the disciples eventually understand that God is present and as disciples, they are called to be like Christ through their words and deeds.
As I reflect on the gospel reading, I think it is very easy for many of us to find God in the “amazing deeds” that surround us. It is however much more difficult for us to find God in the sorrow and the pain. Is Jesus telling us to pay attention? Does He want to remind us that He knows the pain and suffering of this world? Are we like the disciples afraid to even ask Jesus about this?
How can we pay attention to Jesus in our lives? Prayer is a good beginning. When we place ourselves in God’s presence, we allow God’s revelation in the details of our days. God also comes to us in scripture. Allowing time for reflection on God’s word can be a source of comfort, courage and wisdom. Praying for a better awareness of God in our daily lives may provide us more opportunities to find God in both the joys and challenges of our daily existence. Like any action, the more we practice becoming aware of God in our midst, the more we will experience God’s presence.
When my husband and I go hiking, I have tried to make a habit of pausing to “Stop, Look and Listen.” When I stay so focused on the path and the upward climb, I can miss out on the beautiful views, small creatures and many of God’s revelations around me. In our daily lives, we also need to stop and pay attention to the sights, sounds, people, and circumstances around us. When we take the time to stop and look for God, God will be there. God has promised and Jesus has revealed that God dwells among us, and we are never alone.
Loving God, Jesus reminds us to pay attention to how you reveal your love, mercy and compassion to us. May we be open to your Spirit, so we can seek and find You, and then share Your love with those around us. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN.
Marylynn Herchline