Deacon Matt's Reflection

Reflection for 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 24, 2022
 
Gen 18:20-32: In this memorable passage we reflect on two attributes of God; justice and mercy. God is presented as a God of justice, ready to punish and destroy the people of Sodom and their city, for their wicked ways and great sinfulness. Notice God’s mercy revealed through God’s relationship and dialogue with Abraham. Abraham progressively pleads to God for an ever increasing amount of mercy for an ever decreasing number of just people in Sodom. God gives in to Abraham’s request and extends His mercy in ever increasing generosity. Now, ponder the fact that Jesus acts for us, as Abraham did for the people of Sodom. Jesus pleads to His Father, eternally, for mercy for us. Jesus’ priesthood, like Abraham’s, seeks to save the multitudes. Are we grateful?
 
Psalm 138: “Lord, on the day I called for help, You answered me.” Today’s psalmist is thanking God for God’s attentive listening to the psalmist’s pleas for God’s intervention and assistance. Notice that the psalmist speaks of giving public thanks and praise to God, in the presence of angels and in the Temple. Do we publicly attest to our faith in God and gratitude to Him? How might we improve? Then, the psalmist extols God’s kindness and truth, marveling at how God’s kindness and truth, (wisdom) increased the author’s confidence, faith and trust in God. Do we live in truth and justice so that others may have confidence in us?
Next, the psalmist celebrates God’s attentiveness and “all-seeing knowing,” how God knows whether we are proud or humble and how God rewards or humbles us, accordingly. Notice that the psalmist’s last statement expresses confidence that God will finish His good work in us. Are we cooperating with God to live out His missions for us?
 
Col 2:12-14: Notice how St. Paul’s words echo the praise of God’s mercy which we find in the passage from Genesis, today. Paul strongly emphasizes how Jesus’ Sacrifice of Himself on the Cross was accomplished before we’d even repented. The people of Sodom hadn’t repented yet, either, when God was so patiently showing them mercy. Paul further exults over the miracle that we were raised with Christ “through faith in the power of God.” Ponder that we can only have faith in the power of God and be raised when we are truly striving to obey God’s Law and act in conformity to God’s Will for us. Meanwhile, our society becomes more and more like Sodom. Ponder that our greatly merciful God is also just, and  that once powerful nations all through history have been destroyed due  to straying from God’s Laws. Pray this week to really “know” how just and holy our nation is, as of 2022. How do we need to change? How can you help to make needed changes happen? May God give us wisdom!
 
Luke 11:1-13: In this enlightening and inspiring passage, Jesus gives us His own prayer. The “Our Father” is uncomplicated and yet so brilliant! We commend ourselves to God, with confidence. We ask for and express trust that God’s Will is best for us and that His Will be done. We agree to be judged and forgiven with the same measures we use to judge and forgive others. Ponder that. Are we being merciful and forgiving… or do we hold grudges and prejudices that we may have lost awareness of? Let’s pray this week to be made full of mercy and extravagant forgiveness of others. Then, we’ll receive that in return on the day of Judgment.
 
Prayerfully,
Deacon Matt