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The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jer. 17:5-8
Jer. 17:5-8
Today's First Reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. I could have chosen the Gospel to talk about today because it shares this same theme, but Jeremiah speaks loudly to me.
The prophet explains in very clear words how important it is for all of us to trust and rely on God and not on man or the things of this world. This notion can be a tall order when you think about the idea of trusting completely in one and in something that you can not see, touch or hear without eyes, hands and ears of faith.
But that is the beautiful thing about what Jeremiah is trying to explain. He uses the analogy of the faithful and trusting man as one who is like a tree planted in fertile ground and perpetually nourished by a life-giving stream. He says this type of man stays healthy (spiritually), is tranquil in temperament and always bears fruit.
Letting go of things can be hard. God wants us to use our intellect, judgment, and the resources and gifts He has given us-- but he does not want them to be the masters of us. I think of Jesus and the Beatitudes-- blessed are the poor in spirit. The whole notion of spiritual poverty had for a long time be somewhat of a mystery to me. In fact, Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor to whom he says that the Kingdom already belongs. What does this all mean?
At its essence, it is really quite simple. Poverty of Spirit simply means a state of mind that is voluntary humility. Speaking from experience, this can be very hard. But God, himself, calls us to this state of mind because to get to this state of mind-- you have to let go and just TRUST GOD. This means trusting him in everything. For a control freak like me, this is the ultimate test of obedience and love.
The prophet explains in very clear words how important it is for all of us to trust and rely on God and not on man or the things of this world. This notion can be a tall order when you think about the idea of trusting completely in one and in something that you can not see, touch or hear without eyes, hands and ears of faith.
But that is the beautiful thing about what Jeremiah is trying to explain. He uses the analogy of the faithful and trusting man as one who is like a tree planted in fertile ground and perpetually nourished by a life-giving stream. He says this type of man stays healthy (spiritually), is tranquil in temperament and always bears fruit.
Simple: Trust God.
Letting go of things can be hard. God wants us to use our intellect, judgment, and the resources and gifts He has given us-- but he does not want them to be the masters of us. I think of Jesus and the Beatitudes-- blessed are the poor in spirit. The whole notion of spiritual poverty had for a long time be somewhat of a mystery to me. In fact, Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor to whom he says that the Kingdom already belongs. What does this all mean?
At its essence, it is really quite simple. Poverty of Spirit simply means a state of mind that is voluntary humility. Speaking from experience, this can be very hard. But God, himself, calls us to this state of mind because to get to this state of mind-- you have to let go and just TRUST GOD. This means trusting him in everything. For a control freak like me, this is the ultimate test of obedience and love.
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