Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Gideon expresses his complaint and sorrow to the angel of the Lord. Israel was under Midianite oppression—it was a time of fear and spiritual decline. Gideon was hiding out, trying to save the wheat from his enemies, who were attacking and destroying Israel’s crops and livestock. The Angel’s words to Gideon are both striking and ironic: “The Lord is with you, O champion!” In that moment, Gideon probably didn’t feel like a “champion.” He felt weak, but the angel’s words were an expression of who he would become.

Gideon first had to be reminded what the Lord had done for the Israelites—the led them out of slavery in Egypt. It was a reminder that Gideon’s strength would not come from his human ability, but as he is exhorted: “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian.”

The Lord certainly calls all of us to play some role, big and small, in building up His kingdom. When I don’t feel great or confident, and I am asked to give a talk or lead a retreat, I hear these words echoing in my head: Go with the strength you have. Did you hear those words spoken to you? Go with the strength you have—not that you wish you had, not that other people have, but that you have. Right here. Right now. Far more depends on our willingness to follow God and do what is pleasing to Him—out of love for God—rather than how we might “feel” in any given moment. God doesn’t care about our “good feelings” or self-satisfaction—He wants our willingness to say “yes.” To say “yes” is to rely on the strength He gives us. When we rely on grace, we are not only far less likely to take credit for the good God works in us and we are also far more docile. God can work powerfully in the humble and docile.

Don’t try to do it on your own. Instead, just go with the strength you have—and be assured that this strength comes from God.

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB