Come and See!
32nd Sunday, Week of November 10, 2024
The Word…
Elijah called out to [the widow], “Please bring me a small cupful of water to
drink, bring along a bit of bread." She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,
there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. I was
collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my
son; when we have eaten it, we shall die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be
afraid.” She did as Elijah had said
(1 Kgs 17:10-16).
A poor widow put in two small coins. "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in
more than all the other contributors. For they have all contributed from their
surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her
whole livelihood”
(Mk 12:41-44).
Pondering
the Word…
As I write this a few days before the election, I cannot predict what the
“temperature” will be in the public sector, but the Spirit has given me some
food for thought.
In The Atlantic magazine, the author and podcaster, Albert C. Brooks, writes a
delightful column called “How to Build a Life.” The October 31, 2024,
installment is entitled, “Why You Might Need an Adventure.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/10/adventure-happiness-hero-journey/680441/.
I’m not sure everyone can access this, but it’s worth a try.) In a very small
nutshell, he suggests that when we are in a rut, we might benefit from an
adventure, taking a risk of some sort to shake us out of our lethargy or
despair.
Ok, but what the heck does this have to do with the readings or with the state
of affairs in which we find ourselves? The women we read about today are in dire
straits. The Zarephath widow is preparing a last meal before she and her son die
of starvation, but she obliges Elijah’s request to feed him first. The widow at
the temple donates a few cents—all that she has—to the temple treasury. Both are
taking a risk, relying on faith in “the Lord, the God of Israel,” to save them
and to provide for and comfort them in their despair.
So, let’s say, you and I take a risk today: Have faith. Have hope.
Living the Word…
If you are confused and frustrated, low on hope, consider the stories of people
in Scripture: Abram and Sarai, (“hoping against hope”) who venture out based on
a promise; young David, whose faith allows him to overcome Goliath. Mary,
willing to take a huge risk with her “yes.” Jesus, standing in silence in the
face of death; the early Christian communities being pulled and attacked from
different sides, confused and frustrated, yet enduring in faith and hope. Read
books like Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and Etty
Hillesum’s An Interrupted Life that show remarkable courage and hope in
the face of despair of the Holocaust. Call upon the Communion of Saints, loved
ones who have gone before you, and ask for the grace you need to maintain faith
and hope.
Mon, Nov
11: "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through
whom they occur. …If your brother sins and repents, forgive him. And if he
wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am
sorry,' forgive him. ‘Increase our faith’" (Lk 17:1-6). Whoa, there’s a lot
packed into these few verses: “Sin happens. When it does, forgive. And, oh, BTW,
without faith, avoiding sin and forgiving will be pretty darn hard!”
Provision: Pray for faith. The faith we are talking about here is not some
statement of belief or theological concept. It is “mud wrestling” faith. Down
and dirty faith. Faith that is alive and active lest the things that cause
sin—particularly those pesky sins of omission caused by busyness and
distraction—come creeping up on us unawares. The kind of faith that doesn’t
ignore our wounds but gives us courage to love and to forgive. Let’s pray for
that kind of faith today!
Tue, Nov 12: “For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training
us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly,
and devoutly in this age” (Ti 2:1-8, 11-14). Today’s and tomorrow’s readings
from Titus are high on the “ugh” factor for me: the role of women as “good
homemakers;” the Christian communities being “under the control of authorities.”
The whole “slaves being under control of their masters” thing is in there, too,
between these two readings. But something to consider here: Paul is looking to
maintain peace within the secular community “in this age.” Don’t rock the boat
any more than you already have. Paul believes the Parousia (the second coming)
is imminent (see 1 Thess 4:15-17), so there is no need to cause a ruckus by
disrupting the status quo. This sounds vaguely familiar! Provision: Rock
the boat! Jesus sure as heck disrupted the status quo. I know it seems easier to
go along with the prevailing winds and ways and keep to ourselves. But rocking
the boat doesn’t have to be dramatic to bring about change. Rock the boat by
standing up for someone oppressed, by calling out injustice, by demonstrating
love by the way you live.
Wed, Nov 13: “They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate,
exercising all graciousness toward everyone” (Ti 3:1-7). Say, now here’s a novel
idea! Instead of “living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one
another,” let’s everyone try, just for today, to be considerate and gracious.
Provision: Be nice. Smile. Especially if you don’t feel like it today. Look
for opportunities to encourage another, to bring about peace. Be nice to
yourself. Try to replace negative self-talk. Commit to being a positive
influence today.
Thu, Nov 14: “I am sending [Onesimus], that is, my own heart, back to
you….no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother…So if you regard me
as a partner, welcome him as you would me” (PHMN 7-20). The back story here is
complex, but it is assumed Onesimus was a servant or slave, and Philemon, his
master. Onesimus either escaped from servitude or did his master some injustice.
The point is Paul’s interceding for this former slave, a changed man, and pleads
with Philemon to receive him back, not as a slave but a brother. Paul is even
willing to dig into his own pockets to make Philemon whole! Provision: Be
accepting. Perhaps someone has hurt you and is trying to reconcile. Trusting
that person can be tough and we are wise to be cautious, but let’s open
ourselves to the possibility of change. Or maybe you have the opportunity to
help repair a breach in your family or community. Try not to take sides but be
patient and supportive. Intercede for a return to love.
Fri, Nov
15: “Within my heart I treasure your promise” (Ps 119:11). Hidden in Psalm
119, the longest psalm by far, are little gems like this one. Provision:
Meditate on these words. Our hearts can get stuck, caught up by loss, sorrow,
fear, apathy. As we approach the season of Advent and the fulfillment of God’s
promise, consider praying with these seven words. Use them for Lectio Divina to
meditate on their meaning in your life, or as a mantra for contemplative prayer.
Allow the peace of God’s promise to open and heal your heart.
Sat, Nov 16: “Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers
and sisters, especially for strangers; …Please help them in a way worthy of God
to continue their journey” (3 Jn 5-8). John writes to Gaius about welcoming
missionaries and supplying their needs as they continue their journeys. I think
of the strangers Abraham welcomed in Genesis 18. I guess there’s a risk in
welcoming strangers, and yet, if we don’t, we’ll never hear the message they
were sent to bring us. Provision: Listen for the message. What if we looked at
others, not as strangers, but as missionaries, bringing to us some lesson or
word we are to hear. What if we were willing to give them what they needed to
continue their journey? Help a stranger today, in a way worthy of God.
Elaine
Ireland has a passion for working with parents and anyone who struggles to
maintain a sense of God’s love and peace amid the day-to-day challenges of life.
She has a master’s degree in Spiritual and Pastoral Care from the Pastoral
Counseling department at Loyola, Maryland, with a focus on developmental
psychology and spiritual guidance. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, she is
a writer, retreat and workshop leader, and presenter on topics such as pastoral
parenting, “letting go,” and finding the spiritual in the midst of everyday
life. She lives in Ellicott City, Maryland with her husband, Mark and children,
David and Maggie.
We hope you
enjoy "Come and See!" and we welcome
your input. Please contact Elaine Ireland at
ehireland@gmail.com
with questions, comments, and responses, or to receive Provisions free via
email.
© 2024, Elaine H. Ireland
COME & SEE ARCHIVE
• III ADVENT • • II ADVENT • • 1 ADVENT • • Christ the KING • • 33rd SUNDAY • • 32nd SUNDAY •
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