Wellspring of the Gospel

 

Year A: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Second Reading: Romans 12 1-2

Today, we have another of the happy coincidences where the Second Reading echoes the Gospel and First Reading.

St Paul urges the Romans - and us! - to offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice to God. Like Jeremiah - like Jesus - like Paul himself, we are invited to offer ourselves to God to use in whatever was He chooses.

 

It is a strange kind of offering as we are only offering back to God what God gave us in the first place - but the gift is in our choosing to do so. God never forces people to love and to serve Him although, as Jeremiah said, He can make it very hard for people to refuse!

 

We can feel a niggle deep within that nothing can hide or stifle - no matter how busy we are - or how fully we fill our lives.

There can feel to be an emptiness inside that no amount of noise or other distraction can fill.

 

St Augustine recognised this feeling. he filled his life with women, wine and warfare - but always knew there was something he was running away from. What he was running away from was God and when he finally gave in he wrote the memorable words: “Our hearts were made for You, and they will never find rest until they find their rest in You”.

 

The kind of “rest” he is talking about is not necessarily quiet and peaceful! It is a fact of the spiritual life that it can lead people into difficult and dangerous places.

 

An enclosed religious community may seem idyllic from the outside - but who would choose to rise at 3.30 a.m. to pray?

A missionary may seem to be heroic - but who would choose to run the risk of going to places where they have to learn a new language and whole new way of life?

 

Working with those dying on the streets may seem saintly - but who would choose to clean off dirt and blood and lice from someone who may not be in a condition to express their gratitude - who may not even be grateful?!

The choice comes from the fire within - and the desire to do as St Paul suggests - to offer oneself as a holy and living sacrifice to God on behalf of His world.

What does it mean for me?

Waterlily What sacrifices can you make where you are?

Text © 2007 Wellspring

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