The Word of God – August 27, 2021 Reflection

 

THE WORD OF GOD – AUGUST 27, 2021 REFLECTION

Liturgical Calendar Day: Saint Monica, Widow – Memorial

Scripture Text: 1 Thess. 4:1-8, Matt. 25:1-13

“So stay awake, for you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matt. 25:13)

This verse is often used in the context of being prepared for death, which will come at an unexpected time. 

The story of the prophet David gives us a chance to develop another perspective on this verse.

Charles R. Swindoll, who wrote David: A Man of Passion and Destiny (1997), tells us about how God trains his servants for greatness in unexpected ways.

The author observes that God trained David in solitude, obscurity, and monotony, saying that it is in “the little things in the lonely places where we prove ourselves capable for the bigger things” in life.

Swindoll also says that God taught David to be adaptable. David used what was available and adapted it to the challenge at hand. When David had to face Goliath, he chose to fight with his sling and five stones instead of the armor and sword offered to him by Saul.

The gospel verse today brings to mind the example of David. It is important that we are always ready like David to go wherever and whenever God asks us. 

What does “being ready” mean?

It means having a regular—daily, if possible—prayer time. Praying regularly attunes us to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our life.

It means living a life that is “ïn order,” trying our best to keep from sin, venial or mortal, and receiving the sacraments on a habitual basis.

It means being a good witness to the two greatest commandments of Jesus: love God with all your heart, soul, and strength; and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Those commandments translate to smiling and serving our makulit spouse, children, or parents, even though we are tired from work. It means doing our best to be kind to our grouchy neighbor next door or to the know-it-all manager at work.

It could also mean that if we undergo crisis situations like the COVID-19 pandemic last year that we spend more time studying the Word of God instead of wasting time for prolonged periods. We instead keep to a regular, disciplined routine so that neither our bodies nor our minds go astray and sin.

Being trained by God in solitude, obscurity, and monotony, and learning how to be adaptable will help us to respond appropriately when major challenges come into our lives.  

We remain awake so that when the bridegroom comes, we are ready to move whenever Jesus asks us.

The above reflection is published with the permission of the author, who wishes to remain anonymous.