18th Sunday What will we do?

I think it is inevitable...at one point, probably many times, we come to a point where we think we have no options. We do not know what to do.  It can be our first heartbreak. It can be the time we lose our job, our home. When our bodies fail us. When it seems a marriage is falling apart. When our goals, our dreams, all crash down around us. When we are confronted with situations beyond any control that we know of.

What will we do?

It is fairly common for young children to throw tantrums when life does not go their way. It's part of them maturing. They begin, hopefully, to understand that the universe does not revolve around them. It is the role of the parent to guide them in this important step, because that process helps them to be more solid as adults. They will be more at peace. If not, they still throw tantrums; usually now through social media.

What will we do? What will we, as persons of faith, do when we are challenged?

We have a situation going on. It is in the gospel. Jesus has attracted a large crowd because of the love he has for them. He sees that they are lost and in need. So he teaches, he cures, he pastors. The situation is this...they also need food. The disciples see this and what will they do?

“Lets get rid of them. That will take care of the situation.” That is their initial action. “We have done all we can, why do more?”

Jesus dies on the cross. Throughout the entire passion scene, what does he do? He does what is good. He does not respond to the violence with violence. He does not run away from the situation. Even on the Cross as he dies and feels forsaken, he forgives.  He is raised. He goes forward doing what was good. God does what is good.  The Cross and Resurrection tell us that always there is an option, and that option is always to love, to do what is good for the other.

Jesus gives us opportunities. His wisdom, the grace opens our minds and hearts to think differently, so as to act differently.   Look at his actions with the disciples in the gospel. He tells them “feed them yourselves.” Again, they see little options, as they only have a little food. But, Jesus insists “do a good”...and this small action becomes all that is necessary.

What will we do?

Paul reminds us too that the Cross and Resurrection reveals the magnitude of God’s love for us, for all. There is nothing that can separate God’s love for us. We can only not accept it.  God’s love has power and it has meaning. It is to change us. 

That forgiveness we have in God gives us the option to forgive others too, when we are heart broken.  That Hope in God’s love gives us the option to have hope amid the darkness in our own lives.  That love we receive is the love we have to give when there nothing else seems to matter.

What will we do?  People are asking and thinking what is going to happen. People are scared about our future.  There seems to be a hunger for so much now in this time of great unrest in our community, in our country and in our world. COVID, politics, riots, violence, death…

What will we do? 

We as people of Faith, who believe in Jesus Christ, who call ourselves Christian we must Love, we must seek to do what is good for the good of all. We must do what we can, often just with the little that we have. We give of what we have so that in that act of goodness, more a fed. As Christ gives us himself in the bread and wine.

We can try to get rid of those we think are problems, those we think make our lives bothersome... But that is NOT the Catholic way.

What will we do?