The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Wisdom 18:6-9
Responsorial Psalm: 33:1.12.18-19, 20-22
Reading II: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
or 11:1-2, 8-12
Gospel: Luke 12:32-48 or 12:35-40
Fr. John Foley, S.J. provides a beautiful reflection on trust in a relationship, whether with other humans or with God. He acknowledges that it can be difficult to trust in these days of fragile human relationships and the threats of terrorist attacks. However, he notes that “human bonding is entirely dependent on trust.”
It is also trust that the Lord asks of us. Abraham, our father in the faith, was asked to have total trust when God required him to travel with his family through the wilderness to a land he did not know. He was asked to believe that he and his wife Sarah, who was beyond the childbearing age, would have “descendants as numerous as the sands on the seashore.” Finally, a heartbreaking challenge was presented to him when the Lord told him to make a bloody sacrifice of his son. How could he continue to trust when the Lord asked him to kill his only son from whom all the descendants would issue?
In the Epistle to the Hebrews, we hear the words: “...He [Abraham] thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.” Although he did not understand, he continued to trust in God remembering his love, promises, and fidelity of the past.
In His human nature, Jesus was also put to the test. Fr. Foley describes that situation the following way: “Jesus worried about God's abandoning him as he was being crucified. Yes, he trusted, even though he was filled with the raw human fear that God might have rejected him (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Mt 27:46]).
Even Jesus had to make a leap of faith in his Father. He knew the Father had been with him during all the challenges of his life. Therefore, in spite of his anxiety and questions, he took the risk to trust again. Thus, he was able to surrender to the Passion in all its horror.
We thank you Jesus for your courage and sacrifice born of unconditional love. You ask us to trust as you did in the midst of our journeys through life. One of the blessings of my youth was when I met with my mentor, Sr. Aquin, who was preparing me to enter the convent. She told me an allegory, which is simply an imaginary story which stands for a meaningful truth.
It went this way: Once upon a time there was a princess who had been promised in marriage to a prince who lived in a faraway land. She had to travel by herself through the wilderness until she would reach the land where her groom would meet her. Although frightened, she set off on her journey. After a short distance, she met a young man with a fiddle. He offered to accompany her on her journey. When she was tired or scared by wild animals, he was at her side. Sometimes, he would even play the fiddle to cheer her up. After a long journey, they finally reached the land where she would meet the prince. All of a sudden, the fiddler was transformed into a handsome young prince. Realizing how difficult it would be for her to travel through the wilderness by herself, he had disguised himself to accompany her on the journey. What a joyful wedding took place that very day!
In this allegory, the princess represents the soul journeying toward the Lord. The fiddler (the prince in disguise) is Jesus in the Eucharist. He journeys with us through life giving us strength and consolation. At the end of life’s journey, we will see Him as He truly is and be united with Him for eternity.
Yes, we do need to trust our God’s merciful, faithful love. Recently, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and asked her to spread the devotion to him as a merciful Savior. He wants us to trust that He will greet us with open arms when our life here is complete. On the image, which Jesus gave to the saint, we find the following words:
“Jesus, I trust in you.”
Today, let us open our hearts wide and ask the Lord to fill them with trust like His.
Sr. Annette,
ReplyDeleteI am so touched by the allegory you shared regarding God’s constant Presence in our lives as we journey toward Home. How fortunate you are to have had such a spiritual mentor.
I agree with Fr. Foley that trust is difficult for many of us in today’s world given our busy lives, the prevalence of violence which seems to escalate every day, and our experiences of so many broken promises by those we hold in authority.
In his book, Bread for the Journey, Henri J. M. Nouwen writes that “trust is the basis of life…without trust, no human being can live.” To illustrate, Nouwen uses trapeze artists who have to trust their catchers. “They can do the most spectacular doubles, triples, or quadruples, but what finally makes their performance spectacular are the catchers who are there for them at the right time in the right place. The point, of course, is for us to trust our Great Catcher.
Jesus’ love is faithful and merciful, indeed. He rose from the dead, resurrected into heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen his disciples as he said he would. He suffered and died a cruel and torturous death out of deep love for us. How can we not respond in loving trust?
What a challenging show of trust trapeze artists display when the depend solely on their catchers for their very lives! Thanks, Pat, for that powerful image of trust. I know that will remain in my memory as I attempt to deepen my trust in our Divine Catcher.
ReplyDeleteWhat a deeply touching allegory! Of course, even a princess can suffer intensely and later rejoice delightedly. It is easy to imagine the frightening aspects of the young girl's journey and also her intense joy at the end. Isn't it consoling to remember that God (Who is everywhere) takes care of us in this life and also gives us hope for indescribable joy when we actually see Him face-to-face in the Beatific Vision! How can we thank Him enough?
ReplyDeleteDear Sr. Helen,
DeleteWhat an awesome God we have!!!