2024/07/07 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Martina Ricca, Director of Young Adult Ministry & Community Outreach
What reason has God given us to doubt Him? This is the question that comes to mind when reflecting on this week’s readings. I can think of many opportunities or shortcomings in my own life that affected my faith. In reflecting, I am also reminded of a quote from one of my saint friends, Saint Augustine. His words connect us to the root of this week’s readings: “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”
In the first reading, we see Ezekial who has been given a tall order – go and preach to the Israelites in the name of the true God. If I had to preach to a group of “rebels” I would try to find any way to remove myself from that situation. It is right there that I recognize my weakness. But hey, faith is believing without seeing, right? So why not try? When has God ever allowed me to fail? Sure, there have been times in my life where things did not go how I expected or wanted, and other times where I was left feeling so desperate and despondent that I would do close to anything to NOT feel that way. But still, God was with me. He opened new doors for me and carried me until I could walk alone with Him by my side. It wasn’t, of course, until very long after the fact that I realized that.
On the topic of weakness, as we see Paul profess in the second reading, I was recently having a conversation with someone, and we got on the topic of God’s power. Something that sticks out from that conversation is the idea that God does not “let us” feel weak or allow us to fail for HIS benefit. It is not so that He might come in and control us like we do characters in video games. It is also not to show us that He does love us in a way of “See, I told you I would love you even when you fail, and look, you failed and I’m still here, I told you so.” We are made weak when we fail to prioritize God in our lives. We fail because we try to do what WE want to do, versus receive what God has given us. As God tells Paul He tells us the same, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Sufficient. Perfect in weakness. We can be made perfect in our weakness. God’s love for us is so perfect, and we are given the opportunity to love Him as perfectly as we can each and every day. It is no doubt that we are made in the image and likeness of God. That image is made perfect in our hearts when we surrender, as we see Jesus so perfectly did on the cross, to the will of the Lord.
One of my favorite phrases to reflect on is the phrase “perfectly imperfect.” If you are one of my friends reading this right now, I know you’re rolling your eyes, but just bear with me once more. When I think of being perfectly imperfect, I do not think of being complacent or stuck in my ways. I do not think, “Well, I’m never going to be perfect, so why even try?” I think of being broken yet made whole by God’s love and mercy for me. Being made perfect through His hand guiding my heart. I think of a broken vase that is put back together and made most beautiful through the gold paint that outlines the cracks and crevices that holds it together making it a new creation. I think of God being everything in those fragments. It is there that God holds us so close. He comes right to us, right where we are most in need. He does not judge or condemn us for our brokenness. He comes to us so that we may be made whole again.
“The reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” This friends, is the reward of heaven that we are promised. Thankfully though, we do not have to wait until heaven to see God. We can see, affirm, and love Him in others. In His Creation. In the Mass where Heaven meets Earth! In prayer and Adoration. He is not far from us. I share with you a few lyrics from one of my favorite songs, “New Wine.” Friends, may these lyrics be your prayer this week – invite God into the crevices of your own heart, into your weaknesses, and allow Him to make you whole.
“Make me a vessel, make me an offering, make me whatever you want me to be. God, I came here with nothing, but all that you’ve given me. Jesus, bring new wine out of me.”