Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
We, the Church, the Body of Christ, process toward the end of this liturgical year. On Sunday, we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King, and this coming Sunday begins Advent. In between these two significant Sundays, our readings keep us in the end times, anticipating Christ’s return and the celebration of his Advent. The scriptures from the last couple weeks have reminded us to be prepared, prayerful, and penitent as we await the coming and return of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Today’s Gospel assures us, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Today let us focus on God’s promise of wisdom during persecution, and the confidence we have as God’s creation, “great and wonderful.”
Jesus says to the crowd, and hence to us, that we can expect persecution in our lives as Christ followers. But Jesus makes a promise to accompany this unsettling, perhaps even frightening revelation. “Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” Jesus himself will give us wisdom to guide us in addressing our adversaries. Who are our adversaries? Our adversaries are anyone or anything that comes against the plans and purpose of God. Sometimes our adversary is a person acting against the will of God – sometimes even our closest relatives, as Jesus points out. Oftentimes our adversary is within us – sin, shame, guilt, self-doubt, pride, fear, negative self-talk, depression, anxiety, preoccupation with self – the list goes on. Sometimes our adversary surrounds us – poverty, injustice, prejudice, oppression, insecurities of various sorts – the list goes on. The enemy of our souls is an adversary, prowling like a lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus promises to give us wisdom to guide us in knowing how to respond to, and in some cases overcome our adversaries. James 1:5 assures us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Wisdom is also a gift of the Holy Spirit given to us in Confirmation. Let us ask our generous God for wisdom today to name, address, confront, or overcome our adversaries. Let us ask for an activation of the gift of wisdom imparted in all who have been Confirmed that they may operate boldly and confidently in the Spirit.
Adversaries are crafty, wily, deceptive, and manipulative. The enemy, especially, seeks to discourage and defeat us. We easily succumb to negative self-esteem and question our dignity, worth, and value. We may give up seeking the gifts and graces of God because we feel unworthy. Adversaries may deceive us into believing things that simply aren’t true or lure us down unhealthy or dangerous paths. The Saints in heaven, who have won the victory, know the truth. They sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb, “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty . . .” You and I are counted and included in God’s great and wonderful works. I was praying the other morning, appreciating the beauty of God’s creation out my window and pondering how God created the world in love and sustains it by that same creative love. In that moment, I heard God say to me, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3). I realized more profoundly that I am part of the beloved Creation that God lovingly upholds, renews, and sustains daily. But even more so than the created order, I am a beloved daughter (you are a beloved daughter or son) created in God’s own image, and for whom Christ chose to die.
That belovedness is our starting point when facing persecution or confronting adversaries. Our confidence comes from knowing who we are and whose we are. We are beloved sons and daughters created in God’s image. We belong to Christ who redeemed us and set us free to walk in confidence in the Holy Spirit. God invites us to boldly ask for wisdom; God equips us for perseverance by the Holy Spirit and graces given. Typically, we seek boldness, confidence, courage, or fortitude for perseverance. Today, I’m inviting us to take Jesus up on his promise of wisdom for perseverance.
“Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” Thank you, Jesus!! We bless your mighty and praiseworthy name!
Elizabeth Wells