February 26, 2017

 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 49: 14-15; 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5; Matthew 6: 24-34 Have you ever felt forgotten? Have you ever felt like you were being put down? Have you ever felt that people couldn’t possibly love you if they really knew what you were like on the inside? Have you ever felt that people make fun of you? If we carry these over to the religious realm…have you ever felt that God doesn’t care about you? With all the important people or all these really hurting people, that you were just not that important to God? We do have these feelings. And if we are ‘feeling low’ we really don’t spend time asking God about these or feeling that God really cares. But God cares all the time, in every circumstance for each and every one of His creatures. I am loved by God is the constant theme that Jesus taught us in the New Testament. We have to know this. When we do, it opens up a whole new way of being with God…of loving God because we are loved. In the first reading we hear from Isaiah the prophet. The book begins with God searching for lost children who wandered away from God’s love to pursue what they imagined would satisfy them and make them feel good. Over and over again through the prophet, God is pursuing the people urging and pleading with them to ‘come back home.’ God offers them the comfort of mercy and forgiveness. Unfortunately, the long years that they people lived in exile in Babylon have make it so much easier to give up on God. If He hasn’t helped them to this point, why would they think that He will save them now? God corrects their thinking in the absolutely beautiful passage today. Can they even imagine where a mother would forget her children? God’s ways are not like ours. God assures us that we will never be forgotten because God’s love is forever…all the time…in every situation. At the end of Isaiah’s book we see that Jerusalem is home to countless children. God always keeps His promises…God loves. Paul shifts this focus a little bit. Since every person is loved what are people to do? They must take this gift of being loved and live it out as servants of God who are not distracted. One of the ancient titles given to the pope is, ‘Servant, of the servants of God.’ This is used at the beginning of an edict issued by the pope. We are called to be this kind of model. The Gospel scene is so beautiful. To appreciate what Jesus is sharing with us, it is tremendously beneficial to sit with Jesus and imagine. He is on what is called the Mt. of Beatitudes overlooking the harp-shaped Sea of Galilee. We would call this a ‘hill’ whose slopes are filled with wild flowers so very frequently. Galilee has five growing seasons so there is always some blooming going on. I’ve had the honor of celebrating mass at the top gardens here six times. The birds are constantly singing; butterflies floating around; bees doing they're pollinating magic and the sweet odor of the various flower species. It is just so beautiful…just the way that God looks at each one of us. Just look at the images He uses…do not worry about your life …look at the birds…you're heavenly Father feeds them…and the clinching words…”are not you more important than they?” Jesus continues, “Look at the way the wild flowers grow…Will not God provide much more for you?” All these pale in comparison to the gifts that God provides for each of us…because He gives us the gift of Himself: in scripture…in the Eucharist…in the Sacraments…in each other. This reminds me of a wonder story that I have been trying to locate, unfortunately unsuccessfully. I hope I can give some justice to the original version: a very young girl was lost on the streets of large city. She cried for help and people stopped and the police came and all tried to help her find her mom. She described her mom as, ‘You can’t miss her, she’s the most beautiful person in the world.’ There was a crowd of people looking and looking all over…no success. Finally she was found and mother and daughter reunited. She was a very plain lady, dressed even more plainly and not very attractive to look at. Her daughter said, ‘Didn’t I tell you that she’s the most beautiful person in the world!’ That’s how God views each one of us. Each person is held in the utmost esteem by God. It seems that Jesus is telling us that God cares for all of His creatures. What is the value in worrying about all these ‘things’ that we think we ‘need?’ Jesus is referring to His disciples as people of little faith. This seems to be the real issue in the Gospel. Faith is what promotes confidence in God’s continual and total care. Where our faith is weak, anxiety is strong and gets stronger. Jesus was talking to people who were not down and out, but who were overly concerned with themselves and ‘things’. The value in life is not in pursuing ‘things’ but in seeking the kingdom of God. Being people of justice, peace and righteousness. So our highest value is in the living out of God’s kingdom of love, peace, forgiveness, mercy and compassion. This is more important than being preoccupied with food, clothing and the ‘things’ that we feel we need. So I reflect on: • When have I felt abandoned and forgotten by God? Why did I feel that way? • What does the Lord see hidden in my heart? • How much trust do I put in God to provide for my material needs? • What has worry or anxiety gained for me in life? • Have prayers and trust in God offered peace even in the midst of difficulty? How? • We begin the Season of Lent this week. What things occupy my life that I can ‘put in the background’ and concentrate on the ‘little things’ that God provides for me each day? Sacred Space 2017 says: “There are so many messages all around me telling me what I should wear, what I should eat. Jesus reminds me that I am more than a consumer. My identity lies in my relationship with God, who moves me and causes me to trust. This passage is one of great beauty. Let me savor it for a few moments and find peace and joy in it. Jesus promises us that God is generous. God can be trusted to provide what we need as we ‘strive first for the kingdom of God.’” A wonderful reflection is given in Faith Catholic today. “In closing, let’s remember that love is not something that can be proven, but instead must be accepted. And let’s make sure that we open ourselves to the many ways that God continually pours Himself out in love to us. So this day and every day, let us resolve to be vigilant in prayer so we might not only experience the many ways in which God loves us, but more importantly, know the inexplicable joy that comes from loving Him in return.