Reflection on Readings: The Price And Its Prize

It's been a while since I had a quality quiet prayer time. And today's readings felt like a wonderful "welcome back" hug from God.

Read them!  I'm sure you'll feel as blessed and "hugged" as I did 💗

1st Reading:  Sirach 2:1-11
Psalms:  Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Gospel:  Mark 9:30-37

What I gleaned from the readings are not really new, but it's good to be reminded of them every now and then.

THE PRICE

Committing to something or someone is not easy, especially in the long run.  Committing to God, doubly (or 10x, in fact) so.  What does He ask for exactly?

Well, for starters ...

My son, when you come to serve the Lord, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials.

Stand in justice.  Be objective.  Be fair.  Never easy, when there is so much subjective context and we are creatures given to biases and prejudices --- because of our limited knowledge.  In every situation, we are called to be impartial and not quick to judge.  

Stand in fear.  Fear of the Lord. This is something that comes naturally when you get to know just how omnipotent He is.  This may sound scary (you see what I did there? Hehe), but it's really not.  See, once we understand His greatness, then there is nothing else to fear but Him.  And He is not THAT scary because God is Love. So, really, Fear of the Lord is empowering.

Prepare yourself for trials.  Not only did He want us to prepare for trials.  He has very specific instructions on how to approach them.

Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient.

What?!

Yup. 

But why do we have to be tried all the time? Because "someone" will always try to win us over; try to make us use God's gift of Free Will to turn away from His grace.  Because God knows us enough to know which trials to allow and disallow.  Because trials stretch us and enable us to reach our fullest potential.  Because ...

for in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.

Refiner's Fire

Yes, because YOU are WORTHY.  And, yes, YOU CAN. 

Trials also help put things in perspective.  Sometimes, trials serve as mirrors to help us ground ourselves back to our original commitment.  Often we start out with serving God with the pure intention of honoring and glorifying Him.  And then, sometimes, vanity gets the better of us ...

But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.

Such moments help us check our intentions.

Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

ITS PRIZE

It's a steep Price, isn't it?  But, guess what ... commitment goes both ways.  And these are what He brings to the table ...

Trust God and God will help you; trust in him, and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein.

You who fear the Lord, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.

You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. 

You who fear the Lord, love him and your hearts will be enlightened.

Compassionate and merciful is the Lord; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth.

And, to top it off, the commitment comes with a guarantee.

Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken? Has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?

So, who truly wins?  YOU (in case you haven't figured it out)

You've got nothing to lose and everything to win.

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