Reflections
“Good and upright is the Lord, who shows sinners the way.”
We are blessed to have a God
who does not disregard us.
who does not disregard us.
On the contrary, He is
a caring, compassionate God,
a caring, compassionate God,
willing to humble Himself
to share in our humanity,
so that we might share in
His divinity. Who else would
have such regard for sinners,
His divinity. Who else would
have such regard for sinners,
for believers who disobey Him?
The Lord is talking to all of us
here; we are all sinners.
Jesus was criticized for
consorting with sinners,
but He replied that
here; we are all sinners.
Jesus was criticized for
consorting with sinners,
but He replied that
the sick (people like us)
are the ones who need a
physician. We are all able
to benefit from the healing
power of Jesus.
physician. We are all able
to benefit from the healing
power of Jesus.
Our psalmist says, “Make known
to me your ways, Lord;
to me your ways, Lord;
teach me your paths.”
The prophet Ezekiel, in Sunday's
first reading, tells us that
if we follow the Lord's way,
The prophet Ezekiel, in Sunday's
first reading, tells us that
if we follow the Lord's way,
we will be able to turn away
from sin and avoid death.
from sin and avoid death.
(Ezekiel 18: 31)
The psalmist prays to God,
“Remember no more the sins
of my youth; remember me only
in light of your love.”
of my youth; remember me only
in light of your love.”
And in Sunday's Gospel,
Jesus tells us how a young
man became right with God
after having disobeyed Him.
(Matthew 21: 31)
Jesus tells us how a young
man became right with God
after having disobeyed Him.
(Matthew 21: 31)
And where does the power come from
to turn away from sin?
It comes from the Lord, “He shows
sinners the way.” It is He who
encourages us when our tongues confess,
sinners the way.” It is He who
encourages us when our tongues confess,
“The Lord guides the humble rightly,
and teaches the humble the way.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. As the Psalm says, our Lord shows us sinners the way; we pray that
He will teach us His paths. What leads you to follow the Lord's truth?
2. Our psalmist petitions God to remember not the psalmist's frailties or
the sins of his youth. How is the Lord's compassion shown in your life?
1. As the Psalm says, our Lord shows us sinners the way; we pray that
He will teach us His paths. What leads you to follow the Lord's truth?
2. Our psalmist petitions God to remember not the psalmist's frailties or
the sins of his youth. How is the Lord's compassion shown in your life?
Protestant sister and teacher Beth Moore, once said, “God has the right to rule. But better yet, God’s rule is right!” I love the concept as it reinforces for me that He cannot lead us to anything wrong; by His very nature, He can only guide us to what is good. So why is it still so hard to follow Him sometimes?
ReplyDeleteSt. Josemaria Escriva phrases it a little more bluntly. He says, “You persist in being worldly, superficial, scatterbrained, because you are a coward. What is it but cowardice not to want to face yourself?” Yikes. Like the second son in this week’s Gospel, perhaps my answers to God are quick, self-centered, and lacking sincerity. How do I overcome the cowardice and replace it with a spirit of steadfastness? Of victory over my weaknesses?
First of all, I remind myself that I do not ever wish to walk outside God’s will for me. When I do, I feel it immediately. The Holy Spirit nags at my conscience and tugs at my heart. He always guides me back in love, using various methods —prayer, having a good cry, going for a contemplative walk, hearing Truth from a stranger, Adoration, or Mass — paying close attention to the graces received through the Eucharist. I am inspired that the methods used can be creative; our Father in Heaven is mysterious and enjoys a sense of humor sometimes.
I follow the Lord’s truth as best as I can. And when I get off track, I can depend on God’s merciful heart to take pity on me and convict me of where I can do better.