Going through the motions

The response of the religious people to a miracle is a reflection suggested by the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The passage from Second Kings offers an abbreviated version of the political events beginning around 592 BCE in the relationship between Judah and Babylon. Friar Jude Winkler illuminates the details of the two times when the people of Judah were forced into exile in Babylon. The destruction of the sacred Temple and objects is detailed here. It is the observation of the prophets, at the time, that Judah was mostly "going through the motions" in the relationship they practiced with God. When we fail to address the experience of life around us with the guidance and support of the transformative relationship we are invited to live in the Presence of God we may be half heartedly waiting for miracles and expecting that our will be done in response to our observance of the practices of the Church. The Gospel of Matthew warns that those who keep their relationship with God at the level of just mouthing the words will not come to know the deep intimacy through which we are invited to transformation of our lives to be conformed to Christ. We understand that this conformation will bring us into living all life, the ups and the downs, as Gift. We are invited to strive to be holy and Gift to others in the model of Jesus who is love, mercy, compassion, peace, patience and miracles