Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Part of my weekly Saturday routine is to make a meal plan for the meals we will prepare in the coming week. Then I use this to make the grocery list. I compile a list of all the food we will need to feed my family of 6 for the week. It is usually a long and expensive list of food. I often find this planning process to be a tiresome chore, but I know that being able to not only plan in this way but to purchase food before it is needed makes me rich indeed.
In our first reading from the book of Proverbs today, we hear a warning of the spiritual danger that can come from this richness. In the reading we pray, “give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need; Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, "Who is the LORD?" Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30: 8 – 9). How often do I take my richness for granted? I am blessed to be able to buy the food my family needs, but the dangers spoken of in this reading are very real. Do I look at each slice of bread and thank God for the food I have? With each apple and orange, I pack in my children’s lunches, do I give praise to the Lord and thank Him for His goodness? Do I see each cucumber as a reminder of God’s providence? I can assure you – I do not. But just think how much different my life would be if I did. I would be more grateful, more conservative with my use of food. I would remember that God is in control.
Actually, living this mindset reminds me of the command Jesus gives his apostles in today’s Gospel. Jesus tells them to travel from town to town, taking only what they need – no shoes, extra tunic or food. They should travel from town to town proclaiming the Good News. Jesus is asking them to stay focused on the essential, on what matters most – the Good News. And to trust in the Lord’s providence.
When I worked at Maggie’s Place in Arizona for my year of service we would pray this prayer every day – “Divine Providence can provide. Divine Providence did provide. Divine Providence will provide.” This simple reminder that we are to trust God for all of our needs helps remind us that God is ultimately in control and is the source of all of our goodness and blessings. As you enjoy the riches around you today may you remember from whom all this goodness flows and gives thanks and praise to the Lord! Amen.
—AJ Grimm