26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Ezekiel 18:25-28
   
2. Psalm 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
   
3. Philippians 2: 1-11
   
4. Matthew 21: 28-32
   

• Eyes on the prize
  
• A paradigm shift occurs in our lives when we are able to see things in a whole new light, regard the familiar from a different perspective, and hopefully draw new conclusions from what has been there in front of us all along.  God is looking to grace each of us with a paradigm shift regarding His mercy.
• Has there been a time in your life in which you saw the mercy of God extended to you, or someone close to you?
• How did that experience of mercy make you feel?  Were you awestruck, grateful, or resentful (particularly if that mercy went to someone else)?
• Given your faithful service to God all of these years, do you feel that you are more deserving of mercy than the average person?
• Does it matter what you think?
  

• Learning patience
  
• Particularly for dads, one of the hardest lessons is that of patience.  Patience requires trust.  Trust that time and effort invested now will eventually yield fruit, trust that behind that screaming child there is a blessing from God, and that blessing might be that screaming child.  Of course none of us tries God's patience the way that children do.  Right?
• How has God been patient with you?  Are there lessons that He has taught you in life that you were slow to learn?
• Why do you think that God is patient?
• Why do you think that God is patient with us?
• Why do you think that God is patient with you?
• What can we learn from God's patience?
  

• Beware the martyr
  
• I suspect that one of the most devious ways to corrupt humility is to fall into a martyr complex, to see our hardships as an incredible burden unjustly inflicted on us.  That perception might be true, but it might not be complete.
• Have you ever had to set aside something that you wanted, maybe wanted very deeply, in favor of a greater good?
• Did you resent that?
• Do you think that your attitude in such situations matters?
• Did you find the grace to see that loss as a gain, your change in plans an opportunity, that pain a chance to draw closer to God?
• Do you think it matters whether you undergo that transformation?
  

• It is the action that counts
  
• We're told that "actions speak louder than words" to help ground our words in authenticity, to help us be truly authentic, to give our words power.  Sometimes, following God is a process that takes time to work through.
• When faced with a tough decision, do you have a process, steps that you generally go through when discerning what you are to do?
• Have you ever started that process with a clear gut feeling of what you wanted, and had to set that aside in favor of something even better?
• How did you pray through that?
• How did those close to you support you in that process?
• Does that process ever get lonely?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
  

1. Where is God being awesome in His mercy in my life and the life of those around me?
   
2. Do I have the faith to be patient with God?
3. Am I truly open to what God might be working in me through present hardships?
   
4. Where is God calling me to the freedom of letting go?

If Only

As an adolescent growing up, I remember one elder or another in my church,

Looking at me fondly and saying "if only."

If only I had been where you are now when I was your age
I would be so much further along in my walk in the Lord by now.

If only I had not squandered those early years of my life aimlessly
But found purpose and direction in God.

If only I had not been so thoughtless in my youth, so headlong in my pursuit

Of so many things that really didn't matter in the end.

If only I had sought wisdom rather than acquiring, getting, receiving

Where would I be today?

At the time, I never had a proper reply, but I knew enough to say nothing.

If that rhetorical question was put to me today, I might respond -

You are living proof to you, and all of us, of God's rich mercy.

That His mercy is reckless, abundant, and overflowing.

Beyond that, you are proof that His mercy is effective, true, unstoppable.

Like the patient waters that carved the Grand Canyon -

God's mercy shapes us, emerges the beauty that He created in us

Reveals His secret and sacred glory with, in, and through our lives.

That all of us may see His work in you, and all His children

And glory in His patience, trust, courage.

And maybe learn a little patience ourselves.

Shalom!