Ordinary 15
Ordinary 15
by Lanie LeBlanc OP

Two themes struck me as I read this week's readings, the first focuses on the Divine and the second on human reactions to things. I think both themes are important to reflect upon during our part this week in the journey of life.

The first theme centers on being sealed by the Holy Spirit, chosen, endowed, and fully blessed as God's own possession. The realization of that favored gift comes to each of us in short doses because it is so utterly uncomprehensible, even a little at a time ! The mix of personal unworthiness yet abundance from the God of all can be met with all kinds of reactions including doubt and true humility, sometimes both at the same time. It is being in right relationship with God, a little at a time but consistently, that enables the rubbing together of these two rough edges to produce a smooth surface within our hearts that is open to the will of God. This openness enables us, like Amos, to do things at the Lord's bidding, things we would never have dreamed of doing. I'm sure that many of us can look back on our lives of 5, 10, 20, even 30 years ago, and find many positive things about which we might say to ourselves, "Whew, I never thought I'd do that!"

In God's way, then, many of us have been sent to preach, some like the Twelve and some in other ways. The fact that we are all reading Scripture this week, sharing our reflections on it, and trying to live good lives is a testimony to "the One who accomplishes all things". The success of whatever task the Lord has given each of us is known only to Him, regardless of how we feel about it. Yet, and this is the human theme I detected, are we not humanly saddened when we "shake the dust off our feet" when we leave a place that does not "welcome you or listen to you"?

Deciding when to move on is most difficult, it seems to me. Sometimes I stay and try harder or in a different way. I might look inside of myself to see if I am being proud of heart or even over-zealous for someone's soul. Am I trying to do God's work or be God? Being God's instrument requires fine tuning by prayer and listening. That requires me to be still.

For me, this is a cycle. Along my journey, I am immersed in both themes I mentioned, focusing on the Divine Gift and living it out as humanly as I know how to do. The praise of God's glory is the goal that I seek, though sometimes I fall short of that by seeking intermediate goals. Hopefully, those goals, too, are aligned with His purpose. They seem to be the ones that I can attain a little at a time, in order to reach this ultimate goal of continual praise of the God of all.

(Comments to Lanie at lanieleblanc@mindspring.com.)