Wellspring of Scripture

 

Year B: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 12-13

Today’s reading could leave us with a distinct sense of paranoia! The writer suggests that nothing is hidden from the word of God - that even motives and emotions we hide from ourselves are known to him and one day, we will have to face them and give an account of ourselves.

However, if we look back to the Gospel of today, we can get a clearer impression of how this might come about. Jesus saw into the heart of the young man and saw goodness there and the potential to grow - perhaps to become one of his closest companions. But he also saw what was getting in the way - the young man’s attachment to his wealth. It is probable that the young man himself was unaware of this - it was obviously something that he had not considered - and he was caught off-guard when Jesus brought it to light.

Jesus did not stop loving the young man - perhaps he knew that what he had revealed would take time to percolate through before the young man accepted what he had said and became able to act upon it.

Maturing in the spiritual life is about allowing Jesus into our souls - often to the places which, from choice, we would keep hidden. In reflection and contemplation, we allow our hidden motives to come to light - sometimes, we may be ashamed or embarrassed - and sometimes, we may be pleasantly surprised.

We can also allow Jesus into the places of hidden pain - things that happened to us years before but which, deep in our subconscious, have the capacity to hurt and distress us.

This may sound like psycho-therapy - and there are elements which are similar. However, it is useful to remember which was around first! Teresa of Avila spoke of the importance of “knowing oneself” and the practice of allowing God to peel away the layers of self has a long and honourable history.

The crucial difference between this spiritual journey and psycho-therapy is who is in charge - in one it is the person - in the other it is God - and especially, God’s Word - alive and active in our beings.

 

What does it mean for me?

 

Waterlily
When has the word of God revealed something about you?

What did it reveal - and what were its implications for your life?

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