R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
Four times in today's prayers we offer a pleasant response to the grim stories of Genesis and Saint Mark. The first reading recalls the murder of Abel; the Gospel, the fatal opposition of the Pharisees. But our response is hopeful, "Offer to God a sacrifice of praise."
The Bible does not attempt to ignore sin. A day without shadows is called night because it's dark. Likewise, those without the knowledge of mercy know nothing of God. They live in darkness and sin.
Sin is tiresome. Occasionally, even in today's world of lurid scandals and hyperbolic social media, people turn away from the bad news as Jesus did when he "left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore."
"Enough, all ready!" he might have said.
Both stories suggest that Cain's and the Pharisees' sacrifices lacked substance. They were as thin as the pixels on a screen. Without a "sacrifice of praise" for the goodness and mercy of God, one's offer of turtle doves, sheep, or heifers weigh nothing in God' sight.
We meet people like that often. They're eager to tell us how good they are, and how much they have contributed or accomplished. We can congratulate them only so many times before we get in the boat with Jesus.
Life in the Lord begins as we take the time to surrender to awe. We ponder the gifts of being, redemption, and new life. And then we offer to God a sacrifice of praise. My life is not about me; it's about God.
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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.