(Gn 46:1-7, 28-30; Mt 10:16-23)
The
first thought that came to my mind when reflecting on today’s scripture was the
song, “The Long and Winding Road” released in 1970 on the Beatles “Let It Be” album,
written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney.
(No, I didn’t sing this time.) The lyrics talk of life’s journey.
The long and winding
road, that leads to your door, will never disappear, I've seen that road
before, it always leads me here, lead me to your door.
The wild and windy
night, that the rain washed away, has left a pool of tears, crying for the day,
why leave me standing here? Let me know
the way.
Many times, I've been
alone, and many times I've cried, any way you'll never know, the many ways I've
tried, and still they lead me back.
To the long winding
road, you left me standing here, a long long time ago, don't leave me waiting
here. Lead me to your door.
For me the
lyrics reveal the road, God throughout time, has led and formed his
people. Take Israel & Jacob’s
calling in scripture. We know how Joseph
ended up in Egypt, we know how Israel loved Joseph and was heartbroken when was
told Joseph was killed. A reunion is in
the works and a promise, “I will also bring you back here, after Joseph has
closed your eyes.” (Gn 46:4) It is a long and winding
road that lead him to God’s door.
For us it
much the same. We all start at Point A
(Baptism) to the door of the Church (where the typical Baptism Rite begins), the door into the Christian community. Then we wander the long and winding road of
life and like the Apostles, Jesus is “sending [us] like sheep in
the midst of wolves.” (Mt 10:16) With this promise, “do not worry about how you
are to speak or what you are to say. You
will be given at that moment what you are to say.” (Mt 10:19)
Faith
sharing and speaking up for justice takes a lot of courage these days. There are so many sensitive issues and civil
laws that are challenging the Gospel values.
The opponent is as clever as we are called to be, but his intention is
much more devious. His goal is often to
get us to give into the temptation to react to the issues. This often causes us to become no better than
the opponent in what comes out of our mouths.
The fury, judgement, condemnation that lead to disharmony and
exclusions. It takes a great deal of
trust and patience to formulate an appropriate response to the issues. To wait
for the Spirit to speak in our hearts and take the long and winding road to our
mouths. All too often the shorter road,
from the head to mouth, usually beats the compassionate & merciful heart
response.
While
there is much more, we could talk about, but let’s take some time today to
reflect on where do our responses most often come from? Are they reactions from the head or a response
from the heart? Do we have the trust and
patience to allow the Spirit of our Father speak through us? I know that when I do, it leads me and others
back to Point A, God’s loving promises.
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