When he was at table with them, he took the bread. He blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him!(Luke 24:13-35)

Monday, February 7, 2022

God's promises of love

 

It often isn’t easy to speak to friends or family firmly and with truth about my faith, but it’s necessary.  Saint Paul tells us, “From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance” [2 Timothy 4:8]. I need to remember this the next time I'm a little uncomfortable talking to someone about my faith- in the end, it’s all worth it.

There’s a line in Psalm 84 about the fidelity to God and God’s promise of love: “Blessed are those who dwell in your house!  They never cease to praise you.” [Psalms 84:5] Elsewhere in the Bible, Solomon prayed for that gift of fidelity and that God would recognize his faithfulness and that of his people.  He was well aware of their infidelities [1 Kings 8:22-30].

In Mark’s Gospel, the Pharisees didn’t seem to be aware of their infidelities.  In fact, they only praised themselves and their adherence to law and tradition.  They criticized Jesus’ disciples for having “unclean practices.” [Mark 7:1-13]

All of this leads me to ponder, “what makes a person unclean today?”  If our faith rests in God’s promises: “I am with you always” [Matthew 28:20] “In cloud by day and fire by night” [Exodus 13:21] “I love you with an everlasting love.  I will always love you” [Jeremiah 31:3], then not believing in God’s love for us makes us unclean.

If we’re truthful with ourselves, there are so many times we don’t believe: moments of crisis, moments of joy, moments of control (‘I can or did or will do this myself’).  Sometimes we don’t trust God enough and sometimes we trust ourselves too much.

Jesus tells us to “be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate.” [Luke 6:36-38] And, “Love your neighbor as yourself” [Mark 12:31] is one of Jesus’ laws of love.  When do we take care of others and not ourselves?  Now, there’s a real juxtaposition of “what is selfishness?”  When do we not love ourselves and why? And when do we turn away from our neighbor because we just don’t like him or her (or their opinions and beliefs)?

All of this pondering of our unclean times isn’t meant to dwell on our weaknesses.  God knows me and you through and through and loves us in our weakness as well as our strengths.  Just be aware of hypocrisies, big and small and turn around!  Be mindful of the prophet Jeremiah’s words: “Happy the men (and women) who trust in YOU.” [Jeremiah 17:7-8]

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