Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
We believe, as Catholics, that those who wrote the books of the Bible were ordinary human beings. and yet. they were definitely inspired by God to do so. That’s a big deal. This means that the prophets and evangelists felt a divine call to preach and write for the people, but they could and did use their own gifts for style, images, and stories to teach the people in their most effective way. In fact, God used them with their strengths and weaknesses. Can we surmise that today’s statement from Qoheleth, “Vanity of Vanity, all things are vanity!” could very well represent the real feelings of a depressed prophet having a bad hair day? Yes, but nevertheless, he is also teaching us that the trials and tribulations so often a part of the human experience can become the way God’s providential care and overall merciful love comes to us.
The Gospel for today reminds us that the whole range of our emotions from the heights to the depths has the potential of revealing the presence of the Lord. Jesus is telling the disciples that tough times are coming. For a person of faith, it is decision time. Do we lash out in defensive anger, or choose to respond with Gospel values? We may have to struggle to live out those Gospel values, and throughout the struggle, we believe that the Lord never abandons us. In fact, because of His loving mercy, He walks with us every step of the way.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections