Reflection for Wednesday, July 14, 2004: 15th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Alexander, Andy, S.J.
Issue Date
2004-07-14
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike."|I just returned from the Dominican Republic. When I read this gospel, I am humbled to recall a memory from last week.|I was running from one event to another, full of anxiety about at least three things at once, as I walked by the open door of the church at our mission and saw one of the male workers kneeling on the stone floor in front of the tabernacle, looking up at the crucifix above it. I stopped and just stood there at the entrance of the church. His hands were folded and his eyes were fixed on that crucifix.|As I stood there, I could feel the tension and anxiety in my body - for though I had stopped rushing, my "motor" was still running. I let my breathing slow down, just standing there before this profession of faith and trust, and I prayed something like this:.|Oh, Lord, why am I so anxious? I must seem so silly to you, as I run around doing all these good things, but doing them as though it all depended upon my hard work, my skills and the problems I can solve. In all the complexity - in all the various communications and sensitivity and understanding that is needed - there is still mystery. There is still "poverty" I can't fix. I always seem to ask for your grace, your help, only when all my efforts come up empty. Oh, how I long for - desire very deeply right now - the grace of placing my trust in you! Let me have the faith of this man, whose struggle, whose poverty I can't imagine. Let me experience surrendering the burdens of today, before you, on the cross, in your promise of life in the midst of death.|It was a very different afternoon, after that. I'm grateful to be reminded of it, back home in my daily life here. |"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike."|
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 391