Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
The first readings from the Second Book of Kings for the next four days during this week’s liturgy show the people of Israel to be under great distress. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, is intimidating Jerusalem and ruthlessly describing their impending doom. In the darkest of times the faith of Israel is being tested. In contrast, the prayer of King Hezekiah is a heartfelt cry pleading for the sake of the people and reminding God that all the nations are watching to see how powerful and gracious God is for the people of Israel. The Prophet Isaiah becomes God’s spokesperson informing Hezekiah that his prayer will be heard. And thus, it was that the mighty enemy suddenly abandoned the siege and returned home.
The words of Jesus to his disciples in today’s Gospel would seem to come straight out of Basic Human Response Course 101 when confronted with life-changing decisions. Whether those decisions be great or small Jesus insists that we build on the foundation of faith as exemplified by the Old Testament. We will learn to use the gift of wisdom and the discipline of self-control to shape our attitude and our relationship with the Lord.
Our daily challenge is to distinguish what is the “near and present danger” and what is “a golden opportunity for the Golden Rule.” Not everything is traumatic and thus will ease with time, but the present moment is certainly an unrepeatable gift, a “present” which must be handled with care.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections