Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Our first reading today is Ezekial’s call by God to become a prophet. If you have felt God calling you to do something in your life you know it is not always easy. God calls us to serve in the uncomfortable places of this earth. God is asking Ezekial to share the writings of the scroll to the Israelites that entail “Lamentations, dirges and cries of grief”. I don’t know about you but that does not sound appetizing to swallow.
While reading I was given an image of the way a child looks at a new food in disgust and how uncomfortable it is to try that food. However, it is the best when in amazement the food tastes delicious and even better when it tastes as Ezekial describes, “sweet as honey”. With following Christ comes suffering and can often make us uncomfortable. It is not always easy to stomach what God is calling us to- BUT GOD! We know that God’s love and plan for us is ALWAYS GOOD.
Take a second to think of those moments in your life where you really felt God’s presence…
Now, those moments coming to you… do you remember there being some lamenting, grief or suffering involved at some point in time? For me, those moments always included some form of suffering but then I remember God’s goodness tasting so sweet! The promises from our loving Father are sweeter than honey.
As I read the Gospel today I was reminded of this past Sunday’s liturgy. My daughter Audrey (18 months old) is learning how we behave in Mass. For a little one it is hard to keep still and not shout when there is complete silence (too tempting). My husband Dan and I have decided that the best spot for our family to sit lately is right by the worship music ministry. Audrey LOVES music and it is very apparent that she worships Jesus in this way. She loves to dance and even tries her best to sing along. After asking for patience during Mass my eyes were opened to the beauty of her childlike behavior as she danced and sang along to the recessional song.
It was in that moment that I felt so much joy and love for my sweet girl. She didn’t care what people thought about her, how goofy she may have looked but instead wanted to make sure that she was sharing herself with the community that surrounded her. Jesus tells us in the Gospel today “to change and become little children”, to move our hearts to humility, purity and love. In looking at Audrey I get a small glimpse into how great God’s love is for me and am reminded again of how sweet my Father’s promises are. I am promised that I will never be abandoned or forgotten but instead always cherished and sung over with joy!
Today, as we encounter the uncomfortable spaces of our call as disciples of Christ may we remember the sweetness in the promises of our loving God.
- Kate Hutson