Steadfastness

Blessed be the Lord, my rock. (Psalm 144:1) 

“Blessed are you, Lord ‘my rock’! I need a solid rock to stand on today. You offer me a footing that will not sway or tremble as the tremors of life today try to make me stumble and fall.

“Lord, you are in control; everything in heaven and on earth is subject to you. I know that although many things will try to shake my thoughts and emotions today, you are my stability. When bad things happen, I will still declare that you are good. When I act unlovable, I will still believe that you love me. If the struggles I face threaten to drain me of energy and hope, I will hold fast to you, the One who fills me with all the fullness of God.

“Lord, I know that many things will try to shake my emotions, and that I may try to rebel. But you train me for battle. In the face of the lies that tell me I am no good, that I can’t hear from you, or that you have nothing to offer, you have taught me to declare this unwavering truth: I belong to you, and you will never abandon me! I know I can hear from you because you love to speak with your children!

“O Lord, my Mercy and my Fortress, the battle is real, and it rages around me. Teach me how to fight temptation and disappointment—in you and other people. You give victory to kings, so please come and subdue these enemies attacking me. Hide me in the shelter of your loving arms, and stand as a shield between me and the forces of darkness. 

“Lord, I choose your protection today. I will trust in you and believe that you—who did not spare your own Son but gave him up for us all—will grant me what is good and what will help me know you more and live more fully the life you have called me to. Father, protect me from discouragement and fear and self-righteousness. Subdue pride and jealousy and lust in me. I trust in your mercy. I open my heart to the grace to live in the victory you have won for me.

“Father, today I proclaim that I am more than a conqueror because you love me!”

from wau.org

The culture of encounter

Ought she not to have been set free? (Luke 13:16) 

Of course this woman should have been set free! Having suffered with a disability for eighteen years, she has every right to approach Jesus. Still, her healing draws a firestorm of criticism. Though you would expect the synagogue leader to join his congregation in rejoicing in the miracle he has just witnessed, he rebukes the woman by quoting the Law of Moses to her. In response, Jesus asks the leader an obvious rhetorical question: “Ought she not to have been set free?” (Luke 13:16).

This one simple question shines light on a profound issue. Perhaps, technically, this woman shouldn’t have been cured on the Sabbath. But Jesus cares more about people than technicalities—and we should too. As we face crippling conditions around us, we too should ask, “Ought not everyone have access to adequate food, housing, and clean water? Ought not the unborn be loved and protected? Ought not everyone receive medical care and enjoy friendship?” Of course they ought to!

With just one question, Jesus unmasked what Pope Francis has called the “culture of indifference.” He also named the remedy: build a “culture of encounter.” Jesus didn’t just heal the woman; he called her a “daughter of Abraham” (Luke 13:16). He placed her on the same level as everyone else and treated her with great dignity. 

“Daughter of Abraham”—three simple words. Sometimes that’s all it takes. Even the slightest gesture of solidarity “builds bonds, cultivates relationships, creates new networks of integration and knits a firm social fabric” (The Joy of Love, 100). It doesn’t require a lot of effort to begin dismantling indifference and to start building bridges instead.

It can start with something as small as a kind look. It can be the decision to slow down and listen attentively to someone or the choice to offer a bottle of water to someone on the side of the road. That’s where it starts, but it can go on from there. Once you start breaking down indifference, try to double your efforts over time. As you do, you’ll see a double portion of God’s blessing being poured out. Ought not everyone in need be set free? Yes!

“Yes, Lord, your children ought to be set free. I want to help whomever you put in my path. Open my eyes!”

from wau.org

vigilance

Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. (Luke 12:43) 

Did you know that your brain prunes itself? Neurologists have found that often-used pathways in the brain grow stronger, while pathways used less frequently grow weaker and are eventually deleted. Thus, the more you think about a particular subject, the more “brainpower” that subject will receive.

This can give us some insight as we look at today’s Gospel message urging us to be vigilant for Jesus’ return. Being vigilant means training ourselves to be constantly aware of what is around us and letting this awareness influence the way we act. So in the context of this passage, a part of this vigilance would involve paying attention to our thoughts as well as our surroundings. The research suggests that the more we intentionally focus our thoughts on the Master’s return, the more we will naturally be alert to how prepared we are for that great day.

How to start? Perhaps you could try exercising a combination of internal and external vigilance.

Internal vigilance could be as simple as keeping the words of the Lord or images of him and our heavenly home in the forefront of our minds. The more we read, imagine, and reflect on these positive thoughts, the more the negative thoughts will be replaced.

External vigilance, while more time-consuming, is also extremely valuable. This involves filling our time with activities that are centered on serving the Lord and the people around us. It’s also a matter of guarding the way we treat each other, the way we demonstrate love for our families, and the way we prioritize our time with the Lord. 

Today, take a look at how you can use this two-pronged approach to help keep you ready and waiting for whenever Jesus comes. And remember, his coming is twofold: at the end of time and in your everyday life. Strive to fill your mind with thoughts of the Lord, and focus your actions on love and service. Everything else will fall into place.

“Lord, help me keep my thoughts and actions fixed on you until you come again in glory.”

from wau.org

Instruments of mercy

Luke is the only one with me. (2 Timothy 4:11) 

There are so many things that could be said about St. Luke. He was a loyal companion and fellow worker with St. Paul to the end of his life. Between his Gospel and the Book of Acts, he contributed more to the New Testament than any other writer. He was an educated man and a dedicated evangelist who traveled hundreds of miles to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. There are so many good things to say about Luke, but let’s focus on one of his most endearing—and least mentioned—characteristics today: his love for God’s complete and unconditional mercy.

Luke’s parables and stories, especially the ones that don’t appear in other Gospels, paint vivid portraits of God’s patience with sinners. Some of them startle us as we see God reaching out to marginalized people and welcoming them into his kingdom. Here are a few examples:

The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us an enemy of the Jews demonstrating mercy (Luke 10:30-37). Then in Luke 17, ten lepers are healed, but it’s the Samaritan who returns to thank Jesus. God isn’t concerned with labels; he just loves to see an open heart. 

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector presents another surprise—someone as obnoxious as a tax collector can be justified (Luke 18:9-14). And then there’s Zacchaeus, the repentant tax collector, who receives a dinner invitation with Jesus in chapter 19.

The parable of the prodigal son again provokes us with our heavenly Father’s forgiveness of even those most “unworthy” (Luke 15:11-32). And in chapter 7, a sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet while a Pharisee looks on in judgment and disbelief.

God is eager to extend his mercy to anyone. Luke wanted to get this point across to every person he reached. So when you pray today, let that truth sink into your heart. Let Luke convince you of the mercy God has showered on you and on everyone else. Let him assure you that there’s no sin God won’t forgive. And let that assurance help you when it comes time to show compassion to the people around you. 

“Lord, I believe that your mercy is for everyone. St. Luke, pray that I can be an instrument of God’s mercy, just as you were.”

from wau.org

Be led

Follow the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25) 

Skilled sailors know that in order to change course, all they need to do is nudge the boat forward in a series of small, gentle turns. While new sailors have a tendency to jerk the helm in one direction or another, seasoned sailors know that slight movements allow the wind to fill the sails and to do the bulk of the work.

You might say that the Galatians in today’s first reading were like heavy-handed new sailors. They had turned away from paganism and were lurching toward full compliance with Jewish law and observances. But Paul showed them a better way. He reminded them they had received the Holy Spirit, who is a gentle guide. They could trust him to teach them and lead them in God’s ways.

We could all do with more of the wind of the Holy Spirit. We could all benefit from a bit of “course correction” every now and then. So how do we adjust our helm to take advantage of the Holy Spirit’s promptings? 

First, listen. Try to notice the Spirit’s voice. If you feel like you should offer someone an apology, that might be the Spirit’s soft nudge. If you are curious about some aspect of the Bible and want to study it, go ahead! That could be the Spirit’s movement. Maybe a fellow parishioner will ask you to get involved in a new way at your church. The Spirit might be showing you a new direction. 

Then, respond. Say yes to the Spirit’s direction, and you’ll start seeing changes. The evidence of his guidance will come: you may find it easier to be patient with a child. You may find yourself able to hold your tongue or keep your peace when you’re upset with your spouse. You may catch a judgmental thought about someone you don’t like—and you may find it easier to change your thinking. These are the fruit of the Spirit that Paul talks about in today’s reading. They are signs that you are on course. 

Never doubt that the Holy Spirit is at work in you. Follow his promptings. Adjust yourself a little bit, and see what the wind of the Spirit can do! 

“Come, Holy Spirit! Fill me, guide me, and blow through every area of my life!”

from wau.org

The Greatest sign

This generation . . . seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. (Luke 11:29) 

“Lord, it’s easy to imagine myself in the crowd who was asking for a sign. After all, you’re an invisible God. I can’t perceive you directly with my physical senses. So I confess that sometimes, I have doubted that you’re really present with me. Lord, thank you, because you have never condemned my inner jumble of uncertainties and prayers. Instead, in those times of doubt, your grace has flowed even more intensely—along with your patience and understanding.

“Lord, you are teaching me that you have created the world this way because you value faith, hope, and love. The kind of faith you’re building in me decides to believe even without 100 percent certainty. I wouldn’t experience the thrill of stepping out in this faith if I saw you protecting and guiding me all the time. And how could I express hope if heaven were already settled onto earth? And love? That especially enflames your heart. If I were to feel the enormous weight of your glory, it might lessen the freedom of my decision to surrender myself to you. So thank you for wooing me into friendship with you.

“Lord, when the crowd asked for a sign, some might have felt rebuffed by your response. They didn’t get it—by alluding to Jonah, you showed that a great sign was appearing on the horizon. You would be crucified, buried for three days, and then raised up in glory. This is the greatest sign of all! Because they had seen you alive again, your disciples boldly gave their lives in martyrdom. 

“Lord, help me to cling confidently to these signs you’ve given—and to the ones you’re still revealing to me. You promised, ‘When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me’ (Jeremiah 29:13-14). Lord, help me to pursue you with my whole heart. I trust that as I walk with you, I will discover more signs than I can count. Lord, help me to believe so that I might see!

“Jesus, thank you for the sign of the cross—the greatest sign of your love.”

from wau.org