I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”
She left Samuel there.
Today the Church offers the story of Hannah and her son Samuel as a companion to Mary's Magnificat. After the boy had been weaned, she brought him to Shiloh and the Ark of the Covenant where she gave him to the Lord. She made a sacrifice comparable to that of Abraham, who offered his "only beloved son" on Mount Moriah. In that tradition, Mary also gave her only Son to the Lord.
As the American way of life meanders like a shallow river on a flat plain, without direction or purpose, guided only by impulses, opinions and obsessions, American Catholics find themselves inevitably separating from their neighbors.
I believe each adult now attending Sunday or daily Mass has decided to live sacrificially. They no longer expect their neighbors or families to support their religious choices. Few are impelled by the fear of missing Mass and incurring mortal sin; nor do they come to please their parents, siblings, or anyone else. Rather, they practice their Catholic faith because they want to, because they love the Lord and his Church. Their faith costs them much. Many in the congregation feel deep disappointment about their children's or parents' lifestyles. They cannot support or admire serial marriages, abortions, or "sexual preference."
Like Abraham, Hannah, and Mary they have turned their faces to the LORD, and they hear their hearts singing Mary's word,
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
But what is sacrifice? We hear the word often enough. How does one live sacrificially? Two things: intentionality and for the Love of God.
Lots of people live purposely and intentionally. They know what they want and work toward it. They organize their time, relationships, energies, and commitments according to their goals. They discipline their bodies and their minds.
Living sacrificially is 1) living intentionally, and 2) for the Love of God. Whether they exercise the body, regulate their diet, engage in conversation, study useful topics, relax with entertainment, or sleep: they do it with an awareness of God's guiding will and their obedient service. They know there are many things they should not do, amusements they should not have, ideas they dare not entertain; and they resolutely turn away from these things.
American Catholics do not pick and choose what they want to believe. They do not fashion a religion to support their preconceptions. Rather, they listen to the hard truths about the love of enemies, sexuality, and death. They practice the faith of the martyrs intentionally and gratefully -- for the Love of 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.