Called from silence in trust

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary call us to be visible spokespersons for our relationship with Christ.

Learning trust

The vision of God experienced by Isaiah became a call to speak truth to power.

* [6:5] Doomed: there are two roots from which the verb here could be derived; one means “to perish, be doomed,” the other “to become silent,” and given Isaiah’s delight in puns and double entendre, he probably intended to sound both notes. “I am doomed!” is suggested by the popular belief that to see God would lead to one’s death; cf. Gn 32:31; Ex 33:20; Jgs 13:22. “I am struck silent!” is suggested by the emphasis on the lips in vv. 5–6, and such silence is attested elsewhere as the appropriate response to the vision of the Lord in the Temple (Hb 2:20).

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus assures us that He is present in our times of trial and persecution.

* [10:26] The concealed and secret coming of the kingdom is to be proclaimed by them, and no fear must be allowed to deter them from that proclamation.

Colleen Chiacchere reflects on how as followers of Christ, we will be ridiculed for our values, we will experience hardships and we’ll endure suffering.

On a practical level, I think of the daily task of brushing my almost five year-old daughter’s hair.  It’s a labor of love to tame her hair in preparation for leaving the house each morning. The dark, thick, straight locks hang below her shoulders in a tangled mess most of the day.  The several minutes it takes me to (painstakingly? lovingly? hurriedly?) brush it each morning (a difficult task for us both, most days) offer me only a glimpse into counting all the hairs on her head.  The time, effort and desire I have for her, as displayed by the routine of brushing her hair each morning, is only a fraction of the intimacy God has of us. On a similar level, it is noticeable to see the confidence that my daughter displays knowing she is loved and sent off for the day, a tip of the iceberg in knowing her worth is “more than many sparrows.”  Maybe I can also learn from my daughter about the confidence to meet the world each day with the profound understanding that my worth is also “more than many sparrows,” in God’s eyes.

Don Schwager asks What is godly fear?

It is reverence for the One who made us in love and who sustains us in mercy and kindness. The greatest injury or loss which we can experience is not physical but spiritual - the loss of one's soul to the power of hell (Matthew 10:28). A healthy fear (godly respect) and reverence for God leads to spiritual maturity, wisdom, and right judgment and it frees us from the tyranny of sinful pride, cowardice - especially in the face of evil, and spiritual deception.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 10:24-33 suggests that Jesus’ words make it clear that God is involved with all of his creatures, even to the point of feeding birds and dressing lilies. He doesn’t even mind counting hairs! So shouldn’t it follow that he is intimately involved in our life as well?

When Jesus talks about counting the hairs on our heads, he’s not talking about taking inventory. This is not a cold and businesslike action taken by some celestial clerk with a clipboard. It’s more like a mother stroking her baby’s head as she cradles him. It’s more like a father taking note of every one of his son’s features as he follows the boy’s growth into manhood. So if, in the back of your mind, you are hesitant to approach God, remember how precious you are to him. You are his pride and joy, and he has wonderful plans for you.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, several years ago, wrote a simple prayer on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

God of all races, nations, and religions,
You know that we cannot change others,
Nor can we change the past.
But we can change ourselves.
We can join you in changing our only
And common future where Love “reigns”
The same over all.
Help us not to say, “Lord, Lord” to any nationalist gods,
But to hear the One God of all the earth,
And to do God’s good thing for this One World.

The trust we experience in the our family relationships, often with the youngest, model the attitude we are invited to share with Jesus.
References


(n.d.). Isaiah, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 14, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/6 

(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 14, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mt/10:44

(n.d.). Online Ministries Home Page - Creighton University. Retrieved July 14, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/preparing.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 14, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Saint Henry (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 14, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 14, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/