30th Week, Friday, Oct 29
Romans 9:1-5 / Luke 14:1-6
Paul talks about his own people; My heart pains for them.
Vance Havner tells this story in his book Though I Walk Through the Valley. An old preacher worked long into the night on a sermon for his tiny congregation. His wife questioned him on the wisdom of spending so much time for so few people. The tired man was unmoved, however. He kept right on working. The people in the old preacher's beloved congregation were more important to him than any amount of sleep or rest.
Paul had the same kind of concern for his own Jewish
brothers and sisters. There was no personal sacrifice too great for their
spiritual welfare.
***
How willingly do we sacrifice for the spiritual or physical
well-being of our own brothers and sisters? "Help thy brother's boat
across, and lo, thine own has reached the shore.” Hindu proverb
***
We are the new Israel, the people of God’s promise, the new
chosen people. God has given us many privileges. Is the anguish that Paul
expresses with regard to Israel not to be felt by the Church too, with regard
to many Christians, and by many Christians with regard to a Church sluggish to
seek renewal? Are we ready with St. Paul to dedicate ourselves, whatever the
cost, to the salvation of our brothers and sisters, including those outside the
Church?
***
One of the distracting things that can happen when we are at work is when someone comes in unexpectedly with a request or the phone rings and the person at the other end of the line has a difficult issue to discuss. Whenever such things happen, our thoughts and ideas and concentration on our work gets thrown off and we may have to start all over again when we get back at it.
To us, it may just be another person with a request or another call to attend to. But whatever it is, the person has a need or a request, and that need may be urgent or important to that person. That person will certainly feel disappointed or frustrated if he were told to come back another day or to make an appointment first.
In the gospel, the man with dropsy may be having it for a long time. But the fact that he was standing in front of Jesus meant that he was hoping that Jesus could do something for him. Jesus was going for a meal but He didn't put the man on hold or tell him to come another day. For Him, that man could be cured immediately and He would do it.
We have our own work and it may be urgent and important. But let us also remember those occasions when we needed help immediately and we actually got it. We have to realize that it was God who sent us the help, and so we too must help others in their need when they come to us.
***
Something of what this goodness means is shown in practice.
When eating at the house of a prominent man on a Sabbath, Jesus cures someone
there who suffers, even on a Sabbath. Love is the reason and inspiration of the
Christian Law. Is it in our lives, in our Christian community?
***
Prayer
God of all grace and peace, you have chosen us to be your
kingdom of peace and love. But we have to acknowledge with shame that there is
still much room for growth. Make our love richer, more sensitive, complete the
work you have begun in us, that we may have a permanent place in your heart and
reflect the perfect goodness of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
