8 August 2021
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
While we might not be traveling great physical distances as Elijah does in our first reading, we have been on a journey through this pandemic time. At this point, I chuckle and am horrified at what we thought was helpful to do at the pandemic’s start. We had the waves of panic shopping for disinfectant wipes and meat products, teetering between prudent reserves and hoarding. We stocked to limit the number of times we would need to go out and put away provisions for the interminable journey of the pandemic. The world has been exclaiming the words of Elijah, “This is enough, O Lord!” As the pandemic continues, do we find ourselves in a similar interior space of Elijah? Our nerves are frayed. We are weary. The cupboard of resources might seem bare.
The Gospel reminds us today about something that we have to renew us: our relationship with Christ. When we journey alone in worry or pain, we are in the place of Elijah who does not want to continue. Our daily prayer is a place where we might follow the prompting of the angels in the first reading and the psalmist today. “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you.” “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” While prayer does not wipe away problems magically, it is a foretaste of the life that Jesus alone desires to give. Relationship with Christ is food for our journey. Like all that we put away for provisions, maybe that relationship has been packed away in the freezer or left high on a shelf for when needed. Take a few moments to let this relationship thaw out. Retrieve Jesus from the shelf where he has been out of sight. Let Jesus feed and mend you for the journey ahead.
The pandemic has exposed further the existing fault lines in our communities. In the Letter to Ephesians, Paul shares an antidote to our times as greatly needed as the vaccine: the Spirit of God. The Spirit guides us to remove those things which prevent us from reflecting Christ in the world. St. Paul reminds us, “And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” The inoculation we can hope for comes from the Spirit to transform us into agents of reconciliation. Our Christian hope makes us bold to pray for the healing of our families, churches, cities, and nations. Let the Spirit make us bold in requesting the reconciliation we need in our hearts so that all peoples, places, and all creation might be reconciled in Christ.
Where and with whom do you find it challenging to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving? Where do you need the Spirit of God to move in your heart?