A Mighty God

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.

Today’s readings are full of the power of God: of His serene and holy fury.

The admonition in the first reading, that those who prophesy an oracle that He has not commanded them to speak will surely die, should give pause to all of us who purport to speak in God’s name. It is not that we should not speak; rather, we must take care to remain united intimately with the vine through the sacraments and daily contemplative prayer, so that the fruit we bear may not spoil. This goes not only for priests and preachers, but for parents as well.

Then, in the gospel, we see witnesses awestruck as Jesus serenely but firmly commands the demon to come out of a possessed man. The witnesses may not realize it, but they are in awe before the living God.

Because of God’s infinite mercy toward those who approach Him with weakness but love–for example, St. Peter, St. Mary Magdalene–we who approach Him daily with the full and sincere gift of ourselves need not fear Him, flawed as we are.

But for all His seemingly endless patience with the affairs on earth, and bearing in mind His mercy, we must also take seriously the admonitions throughout Scripture. He is not a God to be toyed with, or to be taken lightly.

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Contemplate God’s glory and power, signs of which we see in today’s readings. Praise Him for the unfathomable combination of His omnipotence and justice, and His goodness and love. Consider those who choose a path of indifference to God, in spite of His serious warnings; tell Jesus that you are willing to undergo whatever sufferings His path may bring you, offered for the sake of their conversion.