How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
Someone famous may have coined the phrase, "The Gospel afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted." But it's hard to say who did it, since it's so often cited.
In any case, the preacher who must rely on his congregation for the comfort of a living, is often tempted to comfort the comfortable and afflict everyone else. The Christian message is heavily used to reassure the church-going, tithing elite that, "You're doing just fine, keep up the good work."
If I can take a slightly different tack on this message: perhaps the Gospel comforts us as we prepare to do the uncomfortable. The young woman who faces the choice of abortion can be reassured, "God will provide for you and your child." The politician who must vote his conscience rather than his constituency may be encouraged, "Trust in God who will win this battle with you -- or despite your cowardice." The small business owner can find solace in dealing honestly with her customers by the "great goodness God has in store for those who fear him."
In the meanwhile we remember the martyrs who kept the faith when life was so chaotic that honesty was not rewarded and integrity was punished. There were no systems that made even a pretense of justice.
The scriptures remind us continually, the good one lives by faith. He believes that right makes might; and honesty is not only the best policy, it also rewards the virtuous.
It is not clear why Jesus came to gentile territory. Perhaps he wanted to announce the Good News to them. Perhaps he only wanted to rest and pray a while. But his mission failed once he did the kindly deed to a suffering demoniac. The locals begged him to leave the district before he destroyed the rest of their pig-based economy. But he succeeded also for story of the Messiah's coming spread far and wide after that.
Each day we must search for and find the right thing to do, and let the chips fall where they will. God will provide the rest.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.