Readings: Mic 2:1-5; Ps 10; Mt 12:14-21
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Thinking about this I was struck by today’s responsorial from Psalm 10. It seemed to me so very appropriate.
“Do not forget the poor, O Lord.”
Inflation, interest rates, shortages, crime, division – it affects us all, but it’s always more troubling for working families, especially the working poor.
Depleted savings; wages that fail to keep up with price increases; children robbed of their innocence, and taught to fear; rents and mortgages and taxes climb, but must be paid; growing children must be fed and clothed; cars must be fueled to drive to work and school.
Yes, a troubled economy inevitably taxes family budgets and, in truth, can redefine poverty levels. And so, we pray:
“Do not forget the poor, O Lord.”
But is this prayer really aimed at our loving God? For our faith tells us that God forgets no one, especially those in need.
And yet, the psalmist begins asking God why He hides in times of darkness, why He allows the wicked to afflict the innocent and the poor. But then he describes these wicked ones who “glory in their greed” and completely ignore God.
Of course, this is nothing new. We see it today as well. Although we hear a lot of folks talk about God and their faith, we soon realize it’s all deceit, for they live as if God doesn’t exist. You see, nothing much has changed in 3,000 years.
The psalmist reminds us that God “beholds misery and sorrow” and takes them into His hands. But God’s hands are really a metaphor for those He has called and sent to do His work in the world. This psalm might be less a call to God, than it is a reminder that it’s God Who does the calling, for God does that worldly work of His though others, through you and me.
We hear something similar in our first reading from the prophet Micah. We don’t know much about Micah, an obscure man from an obscure village in Judah. But he was a man who could recognize evil in all its disguises. He let no one escape God’s Word: the wealthy who enslave the poor for their debts; merchants who cheat everyone; corrupt judges who take bribes; even priests and prophets who prey on the faithful.
Perhaps the first words of our reading are
the most telling:
“Woe to those who
plan iniquity and work out evil on their couches” [Mic 2:1].
Yes, indeed, the true wheelers and
dealers, even as they lay in their beds, plan ways to oppress, to help
themselves at the expense of others.
What, then, are we to do?
As individuals, you and I can have little impact on the world’s, or the nation’s, economic and social realities. Oh, we can vote intelligently and try to effect change through human means…and that’s certainly good. And we should avoid serving or supporting those who, in their self-focused world, have turned from God’s way. In the same way, we can financially and actively support those who do God’s work in the world.
But I think sometimes we forget about God’s
power, about the power of our faith; and that’s what the psalmist was trying to
explain to us.
“Do not forget the poor, O Lord.”
We must remember that the world’s powers
and principalities don’t control the future. How did Jesus put it to
“The wind blows where it wills” [Jn 3:8]
Yes, the Holy Spirit cannot be contained, for He does God's work wherever and whenever God chooses. Some foolishly think they know what God can or cannot do. They forget how powerful God is, even as He chooses and uses so many imperfect men and women to do His work. Never forget, the God that created and rules all things told us:
“Behold, I make all things new” [Rev 21:5].
God likes to keep things simple; we’re
the ones who complicate it, and then think we can fix the world by ourselves.
In a very real sense, though, we can conquer the world simply through our faith in Jesus Christ. St. John, in his first letter, said it well:
“Who, indeed, is the victor over the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” [1 Jn 5:5]
Brothers and sisters, this victory happens when we act as Jesus acts – when we suffer redemptively, forgive mercifully, and love unconditionally. If we do this, and call others to join us – in other words, if we evangelize – God will let His miraculous power flow into our world and bring the healing, the peace He promises.
Oh, yes, and today, let’s turn also to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, asking
her to pray and intercede for us, who in our imperfections struggle to do God's work and fulfill His will in the world.
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