Thursday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
It’s true. The Gospels, and all the various books of the Bible are full of abundant material for reflection. However, they also contain gaps concerning human interest information. We believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the biblical writers to use their own best writing skills as well as the community’s collected memory which of course included the gaps.
Nevertheless, by happy fault, it is here where we can encounter the “Lord of the Gaps.” This involves resisting the modern sometimes high-tech temptation of wanting to know all the details of the “rest of the story.” We’re conditioned to want full coverage of any “breaking news” as it occurs. But our search for the full truth of the biblical passage actually takes us on a different path with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Notice how Job in today’s Old Testament reading yearns to have all his troubles, and incredible disasters, permanently inscribed in stone to document the extent of his suffering. And yet, in spite of it all, his final response is absolute trust that God is God and God will bring about final resolution. Likewise notice how the Gospel story of sending the seventy-two missionaries, in spite of all its logistical details, leaves us wondering about how, when, where, and what motivating circumstances came together and were commissioned to be such a powerful task force of missionaries.
May our own quest for understanding become important portals allowing the Lord to come to us with an abundance of truth and grace.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections