Bold Requests

Deuteronomy 30:1–31:29; 2 Corinthians 8:1–7; Psalm 44

Psalm 44 is bold. Who asks the Lord to “wake up”? Who asks Him why He is sleeping?

   The psalmist doesn’t stop with these questions. He makes claims regarding God that seem like accusations: “you have rejected and disgraced us,” “you have given us as sheep for food,” and “you have sold your people cheaply” (Psa 44:9, 11, 12). How do we deal with these types of psalms? Should we be as bold in our relationship with God?
   But these claims aren’t made without reason. The psalmist opens his lament with, “O God, we have heard with our ears; our ancestors have told us of work you worked in their days, in days of old” (Psa 44:1). He had heard stories of God’s past faithfulness—how he delivered His people in battles. He also knew that God had claimed His people, that His favor to them was a testimony to the surrounding nations. But the psalmist experiences something different. Why is Israel “a taunt to our neighbors, a derision and a scorn to those around us” (Psa 44:13)?
   The psalmist wrestles with his experience because he knows God’s will. He appeals to God’s faithfulness, love, and reputation among the nations. It’s not much different from our own experience, as we wrestle with evil, sorrow, and pain, and as we wonder about God’s work in the world.
   But in the midst of the confusion, we still need to place trust in God. Although the psalmist questions boldly, he acknowledges, “In God, we boast all the day, and we will give thanks to your name forever” (Psa 44:8). At the end of the psalm, he still petitions God for help, on the basis of His love: “Rise up! Be a help for us, and redeem us for the sake of your loyal love” (Psa 44:26).
   God has redeemed us for the sake of His loyal love, and He is present and active—even when it seems otherwise. Colossians 1 tells us to give thanks to the Father, “who has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves … because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him … and in him all things are held together … because he was well pleased for all the fullness to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by making peace through the blood of his cross” (Col 1:12–20).

Do you trust in God’s love and deliverance, even when circumstances seem grim? Do you boldly petition Him for help, acknowledging His good character in the process?

Rebecca Van Noord

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John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A Daily Devotional (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

April 16, 2014 Wednesday of Holy Week

Lectio

Matthew 26:14–25

Meditatio

“My appointed time draws near.”

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus shows us that fidelity to one’s vocation is lived one minute at a time. Jesus’ fidelity is a lived out in a continuous stream of “now” moments: announcing the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, forgiving the sinful, all leading up to the appointed hour.

The Passover is beginning. Pilgrims are streaming into Jerusalem, including Jesus and his closest disciples. Jesus knows what is coming. “My appointed time draws near.” Already in chapter 26 of Matthew he has foretold his crucifixion during the Passover (v. 2). He has declared the anointing at Bethany a preparation for his burial (v. 12). He knows, too, that one of his own disciples will betray him—an inside job.

In the face of betrayal, torture, and death, what does Jesus do? He goes on with his vocation of revealing the faithful love of God for his people. At this precise moment it means preparing and celebrating the Passover meal.

Betrayal is devastating. It is hard to say what is worse, to be caught off guard or to see it coming. Either way the sin of betrayal kicks us in the gut when we experience it. The example of Jesus is all the more astounding because, while he acknowledges Judas’ betrayal as it is happening, he does not change his plans to avoid the situation. Neither does he lash out at Judas or retaliate in any way. Jesus, the absolute expression of God’s love, is not sidetracked. Instead, he continues to freely give of himself.

Today we stand on the brink of the Sacred Triduum, and the Church gives us the calm deliberate choices of Jesus to continue his mission. He knows this will lead to Calvary. We also ponder the calculated moves of Judas, which will lead to his duplicitous kiss.

Fidelity (or its opposite) is lived out moment by moment, choice by choice. What is God calling me to in this “hour” of my salvation?

Oratio

My God, I want to be with you completely in these days when we remember your passion and death. When I think of your fidelity to your vocation, your total self-giving in the face of the betrayal and the cowardice of your disciples, I am overwhelmed. Time is a precious gift; help me to spend it wisely as you did in your public ministry. Strengthen me so that in my moments of crisis I may choose faithful love no matter the cost.

Contemplatio

Faithful love is lived out moment by moment.

The events of the Paschal Mystery,

the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus,

together comprise the pivotal point of time.

Everything that came before

and all that follows after

are defined by this, are transformed.

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Daughters of Saint Paul. (2008). Lenten Grace: Daily Gospel Reflections (pp. 114–117). Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media.

I’ll Take the Arrow

Deuteronomy 29:1–29; 2 Corinthians 7:8–16; Psalm 42:1–43:5

“Better is an arrow from a friend than a kiss from an enemy.”

   When I first heard this saying, I was struck by what a truism it is. It wasn’t until years later, though, that I began surrounding myself with wise friends who would tell me the truth even when it was difficult to hear.
   Paul was a true friend to the Corinthians, and it’s for this reason that he rebuked them: “For if indeed I grieved you by my letter, I do not regret it.… For grief according to the will of God brings about a repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but worldly grief brings about death” (2 Cor 7:8, 10).
   I recently felt God asking me to rebuke someone. I was hesitant at first, but I followed through. Afterward, I was tempted to lighten the weight of my words by writing a follow-up explanation, but I was certain that it wasn’t God’s will that I do so; I felt that nearly all the words I had spoken were in His will. I had to be confident that the rebuke had power to lead the person to repentance and that the repentance could lead to salvation. I shouldn’t regret what I had done, but embrace it.
   Moses had a similar experience to Paul’s. He spoke harsh words into the lives of the Israelites when renewing God’s covenant with them. He said things like: “You have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine and strong drink, so that you may know that I am Yahweh your God” (Deut 29:6). When the Israelites were deprived of things they thought they deserved, it was so that they could learn about God; such deprivation would force them to be dependent upon Yahweh.
   I had another experience lately where I was on the receiving end of a truthful rebuke. My typical response is defensiveness, but I sensed from my friend’s voice that he was genuine. He was speaking words of experience, love, and godly wisdom. God worked in my heart and I listened. Even though they hurt, I had to be thankful for the wise words. As I’ve been tempted to fall into my old patterns since then, that rebuke continues to make a difference. I’m thankful for honest friends.
   We often use the phrase “Judge not lest you be judged” as an excuse for not speaking the truth to someone (Matt 7:1). But Paul clearly didn’t use it that way. He understood that he was the worst of sinners, and he gladly admitted it. In grace, he issued rebukes.
   Judging people incorrectly and out of hate or envy is a problem in our world. But so is failing to speak up when we see someone going astray. Paul didn’t judge—rather, he stated that God would judge according to His plans and oracles. Paul said it like it was, based on what God led him to say. He didn’t degrade people; he promoted godly behavior.

Do you have godly friends who speak honest words to you? If not, how can you go about making friends that will? How can you be open to speaking the truth to others without judging them?

John D. Barry

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John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A Daily Devotional (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).

Tuesday of Holy Week

Lectio
   John 13:21–33, 36–38

Meditatio

“Jesus was deeply troubled.”

   Jesus, when I ponder this Gospel I feel sad at seeing you troubled. You had said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Now you are troubled. Ecclesiastes tells us there is a “time for everything,” including “a time to weep” (Eccl 3:1–4). Now it’s your time to be overwhelmed with sadness. Even in our emotions you chose to be like us in all things but sin (cf. Heb 4:15). At times I feel storms of sadness and troubled emotions. You did not shield yourself from the stabbing pain of a friend’s betrayal. You wept over Lazarus and over Jerusalem. Your heart was moved with pity at seeing the widow of Nain. You knew the joy of friendship at Matthew’s house and the comfort of the hospitality of Martha and Mary.
   Now, Lord, you are plunged into a troubling sadness. You speak of betrayal and everyone acts surprised, even your betrayer. You tell Judas, “Do it quickly.” Your sadness at Judas reminds me of what the martyr Saint Thomas More expressed in the play A Man for All Seasons. When Sir Richard Rich perjures himself as he falsely accuses More, the saint tells him that he is more troubled by Rich’s perjury than by his own prospect of execution. What troubles you, my Lord, in this Gospel scene? The thought of impending betrayals and abandonment is breaking your heart. You know Judas’ treachery. You look at the other disciples who seem so innocent and unaware of what will soon take place. You cannot force your love on the betrayer, but you try to save him. You wash his feet, you offer him the morsel dipped in the dish. Judas eats it and leaves. “And it was night.” Judas walks out of your presence. He turns his back on the Light. He is swallowed by the night, by Satan, the prince of darkness.

Oratio
   Lord, Saint John details for us the love you offered to each disciple—even the one who would betray you. I ask you to be my motivation and my driving force, even when I feel drawn to abandon the cross of daily fidelity. May I care for those around me and desire their eternal salvation above all. May my love for others mirror yours—so I care for both their spiritual and their physical well-being. I trust that in your goodness you will grant me these graces. Amen.

Contemplatio
   “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.”
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LENTEN GRACE: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)