Blessed, Broken and Healed

In today's first reading, Ruth1: 20-2:1=3, 8-11, 13-17,  Naomi and and  Ruth arrive in Bethlehem.  The women of Bethlehem ask: "Is this really Naomi?"  To which she immediately replies: "Don't call me Naomi but Marah because God has made my life bitter.  When  left here, I had plenty but the Lord has brought me back without a thing. Why call me Naomi when God has condemned me and sent me trouble?"

We are told that when Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem, it was harvest time. The barley crop was ready!  Riches await Naomi, but, in her brokenness, she sees only that which is bitter.  She is unable to imagine a plentiful life again.  Yet, God is her care-giver, as He is ours.  All of us will experience troubles in our lives. All of us will experience brokenness. It will seem as though God has condemned us; that the troubles of life have been sent to us by God Himself. At times, like Naomi, we will identify ourselves as bitter men and women, even so slightly or for long periods of time.

That which is broken, however, is capable of being put back together. Deserts can become fertile again. Assumed condemnations turn into blessings.  We know that in faith! And as Ruth did when they returned to Bethlehem,  encouraged by Naomi--going out in the fields and reaping the harvest, not sitting back feeling sorry for herself--we, too, can take action, however small.  In taking initiative as prompted by the Spirit, we are readying ourselves for a plentiful harvest.

Like Naomi, whom Ruth would never abandon and whom Ruth trusted as well, we, too, need persons we can trust and who encourage us to take action. That trust in another human being leads us to trusting God.  Who is that person in your life?

The Emmaus Story: Jesus Modeling a Way to Help the Brokenhearted

Today’s Gospel reading, Luke 24: 13-35, is the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus.  Distraught, they are returning to their former way of life, saddened that the person they thought would restore Israel has been crucified.  Jesus joins them and asks: “What are you discussing as you walk along?”  Exasperated by the question, one of them says to Jesus: “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” “What things? Jesus asks. He doesn’t say: “Of course I do! I know it better than you do. Let me explain!”

Wow! What an example of openness, humility and responding to people at the level of their understanding, respecting their position. Jesus does not show off His knowledge, does not shame the disciples for their ignorance, does not assume a one-up-man-ship position. This is Jesus, the Risen Lord. Of course He knows what has happened these past few days! But he allows the disciples to tell their story, to fret and moan their loss, to be sad and distraught, confused and frustrated; yes, to be angry.

What a lesson for us, for me!  How often do I not jump right in, give my opinion without first listening to the other person or not allowing the other person to express his/her grief, his/her anger and frustration, not allowing the other to be confused and downright down and out about everything that has been happening in his/her life, in the church, in the world, in my family or religious community. How often do I not “shut them up” with my pontificating, philosophizing, or making sure that the other knows that I know exactly what they need to hear! O God, have mercy. May I learn from you how to be present to another person where he/she is at without interrupting, without needing to clarify, explain, make right, not needing to enlighten!  Truly, I will then be revealing God’s compassion, understanding, acceptance and love! Nothing more would need to be said!

What would happen if, the next time someone is  expressing an opinion about a very disturbing event effecting his/her life, I would ask:  “What are you discussing?”  Or “Tell me what happened?” What if I fully listened without interrupting and, perhaps, without even expressing my opinion! Entering their brokenness in this way may be the only blessing they need at that time.

God's Restorative and Reconciling Presence in our World

In today’s first reading, Nahum 2: 1, 3; 3:1, 6-7, the prophet  vividly describes the horror that descended upon the Israelites through their enemies.   “Woe to the bloody city, all lies, full of plunder, whose looting never stops! The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of the wheels; horses a-gallop, chariots bounding, cavalry charging, the flame of the sword, the flash of the spear, the many slain, the heaping corpses, the endless bodies to stumble upon!....”  Sounds like recent descriptions in our evening news: bodies piling up in Palestine, in Syria, in the Ukraine, in our city streets; children abandoned at our borders, persons dying of Ebola and other diseases, Christians driven out into deserts  left to die by Iraqis.  Many times, we wait to hear what the Israelites heard from Nahum when God delivered them from the violence and destructive forces of their enemies: “Celebrate your feast, O Judah, fulfill your vows! For nevermore shall you be invaded by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed. The Lord will restore the vine of Jacob, the pride of Israel, though ravagers have ravaged them and ruined the tendrils [vines].”   
 
All of us, obedient to God’s laws,  striving for justice, loving tenderly, and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8), will experience God’s restorative powers, the reconciling love that unites us with our compassionate, loving, merciful God. Already, we have been made one with the Father through Jesus’ death and resurrection.  As we journey through this “vale of tears” there are times when we experience this union, especially when we receive the Eucharist or are Eucharistic people to others, giving of ourselves in love in our own brokenness to bring healing to others, to comfort those in pain. We will also know the fullness of being one with our Creator when we pass through the doors of our suffering and death and enter into eternal life, as did Jesus in His resurrection from the dead.
 
Praise and thanks to our God!