Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 7:62-70
Mass: 1 Kgs 18:20-39; Resp Ps 16; Mt 5:17-19

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence.

HEART OF JESUS, ONE WITH THE ETERNAL WORD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Reflecting on the passage from the First Book of Kings, I keep thinking about the prophets calling on Baal from morning to noon, then hopping around the altar to get Baal's attention; all to no avail. Elijah reminds them that Baal is a god after all, and he may be meditating, or may have retired, or may be on a journey (1 Kgs 18:26-27). In other words, Baal may be otherwise occupied. This story may produce a chuckle or two while at the same time causing one to stop and ponder: When do I take to frantically calling on my gods and idols to rescue me in times of distress? Then I read this: "Creating idols is a perennial enterprise among us blind-hearted human beings. When we set up goals that mirror all that is small and self-centered in the human heart and then sacrifice all our time and energy to them, we run the constant risk of achieving deadness of spirit instead of vibrant life lived in the image of the compassionate Creator" (Magnificat, Prayer for the Evening, June 10, 2020).

We have an appointment in the night with God: in the night of our life, in the many nights of our life, dark moments, moments of sin, moments of disorientation. But precisely in that moment we need not fear because God will give us a new name, which contains the meaning of our entire life; and He will offer us the blessing reserved for those who allow themselves be to changed by Him.

(Pope Francis, General Audience, June 10, 2020)

Today's photo: More beauty in Corvallis, OR. Thank you to CO and family.

© Gertrude Feick 2020