"Here I am, Lord; I Come to Do Your Will

Today's Mass Readings

At first glance, today’s first reading appears to be extremely puzzling. Is Jephthah meant to be a hero? And what kind of hero promises to make such an unknown sacrifice in return for victory in battle? Indeed, the violence in the book of Judges makes it a difficult text to read, as well as to discern where it fits with the message of the Bible of a whole. And yet, what we see throughout the book of Judges is that the Israelite people have fallen into such disarray that even their leaders, even their heroes, have outstanding flaws. Here Jephthah, trying to do right, and certainly leading the Israelite people to victory in battle, finds his violence on the battlefield entering his own home. He is forced to sacrifice his daughter because of the imprudent vow he made prior to battle. Jephthah’s unnamed daughter had looked forward to her own family life- marriage and children and all that comes with them. Yet she does not protest her father’s vow, but asks only for a little time to spend with her friends. Both Jephthah and his daughter want to do God’s will, but, Jephthah at least seems to have a muddled picture of God and God’s will.

The Church points this out by pairing the first reading with the psalmist who says: “Sacrifice or oblation you wished not…burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not.” Again, this first reading points to the fact that Israel at the time period of the Judges is in such disarray that even its heroes are weak, confused, and often unnecessarily violent people.

The gospel then complements this picture. Jesus’ parable notes how ultimately everyone is invited to the banquet, but those who attend and can stay are only those who are prepared. God wants all to enjoy the many blessings he provides, but he knows that we cannot appreciate those blessings if we are not willing.

Like the people Israel in disarray, we often fail to see how God really works and instead misinterpret his will in our lives. We often trick ourselves into believing that our will is also God’s will, or that we can make God’s will conform to ours, when in truth it is the other way around. Let us strive to make our will conform to God’s. Let us strive to be worthy of his banquet. Let us pray that we may come to an ever clearer understanding of God’s will in our lives.