In today’s passage from Revelation, we are told, ‘blessed
are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written… ‘I
know your works, your labor, and your endurance…and (you) have not grown
weary.’ But further on, ‘Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the
works you did at first.’
I don’t know what made me count it, but the word wicked
comes up four times in the first reading today.
Other words are imposters, fallen, insolent and sinners. There was no shortage of evil when Revelation
was written and there is plenty of evil now.
At times it seems we live in a dark world. Every moral standard is tested. Absolute truth is mocked. Good is ridiculed and evil is justified. God is clear that we are to discern good from
evil. We are to embrace good and repent
when we have done evil.
Revelation is telling me that God has made a covenant with
me and that I have received and opened the gift of faith, to guide my “life-
decision- making.” Trusting in what I believe the Holy Spirit is telling my
soul takes some endurance, and after a while I do find myself getting tired and
complacent. Revelation reminds me to stay vigilant, grateful, and aware. Also to remember to acknowledge my faith and
decision-making as a gift I have received from God. The last passage also
reminds me to share my insight with others as if it were the first time I had
ever discovered God’s love.
My newest granddaughter, Paloma Sarah, has given me reason
to contemplate further on what today’s reading is about. She is so beautiful. And I am head over heels in love with
her. I mean, I really, REALLY love
her. Why is that? How does that happen? She is two weeks old tomorrow. I barely know her. What does she have to offer me? I mean all she does is eat, poop and
cry. Good grief, anybody can do
that. And yet, I hold her in my arms and
look at her and my heart just melts. I
would do anything for her. I know I
would lay my life down for her in a heartbeat.
The same applies to my other two grandchildren and my own children, for
that matter.
I wonder, is that how God looks at us? Like a baby in His arms? It’s not like God needs us or we have
anything special to offer to God. And
yet, God loves us so much He laid down his life for us. We are God’s children. Kind of an amazing thought. It isn’t what we can do for God or what we
have to offer God. It’s about who we
are.
My prayer today is for discernment. To be able to discern good from evil and to
know God’s will. To know that we are
God’s creation, His children and to realize how much He loves us. Life is always changing, but God’s love for
us remains the same.
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