Scripture:
Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12 – 13
1 Corinthians 1:26 – 31
Matthew 5:1-12
Reflection:
The readings for today offer us many treasures. Seeking God. Knowing the difference between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. And how to find spiritual happiness.
The word seek, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, can mean to search for; to be in quest of; to ask for something or to achieve something. Seeking God can mean that we may be lost or we may be seeking God’s will in our lives, or seeking God to ask for a need. Seeking God in any of these forms is a journey that takes a life time. A journey that calls us to conversion throughout our lives. The scriptures, the Eucharist, and personal prayer guides us in this journey.
As with any journey we need to take a few things along. Matthew’s Gospel gives us the tools we need for our spiritual journey through the Beatitudes. Meekness, showing mercy, being a peacemaker, being hungry for justice and a few others. And this journey is not without its trials and tribulations. We are warned that there will be insults and persecutions along the way. No where in scripture does it say that being a follower of Christ is going to be a breeze. On the contrary, it is challenging to be a Christian. If we are walking on the right path it will be hard sometimes not just for us but for those around us as well. We challenge others not so much with our words as we do with our actions.
Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians also assists us in this journey of seeking God by explaining the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. How do we know what is the wisdom of the world and what is the wisdom of God? Taking time to reflect upon a situation, events, or what someone else says to us or to a larger group is important. What is going to be my response in light of the scriptures or teachings of the Church? How am I going to grow in my spiritual life because of my response? Is it going to push me outside of my comfort zone? Am I willing to take the risk?
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, . . . seek justice, seek humility . . .” Zephaniah 2:3
Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky
