Over and Over again in scripture the Lord reminds us of his power. He reminds us that he is not only our creator, but our source of divine control and intervention, as well as our savior. As we enter into this holy weekend we take an introspective look at what he is telling us in the readings and how it translates into the resurrection.
The first reading is one we have read, heard, and studied for years. The Lord creates the earth, he moves from distinguishing night from day, ground from sky, and land from water. All separated by periods of rest. He demands for the land to be filled with seed bearing fruit, and the sea to be filled with creatures, he demands the lands to be inhabited by wild creatures. On the sixth day, the Lord created man, perhaps his most accomplished creation, in the image and likeness of himself. He demands that man rule over the creatures of earth, the birds of the sky, and the fruit of the land to provide for man himself. As the scripture draws to and end we see the world created and, much like a canvas, had been painted with perfection, and God rested with his success.
It’s so easy to believe that we have control over our lives because God has placed resources upon this earth he created for us to fend for ourselves. Physically, he provided to us everything we would need. In times of desperation, when we lose our grip on our spirituality we cling to the earthly goods that bring us comfort. The scripture reminds us that even in the earthly goods that we see everyday, that we touch, taste, hear, and feel in each passing moment, that he is in these things. His presence is in everything. If we could remember that God is in everything, no matter how secularized it has been portrayed, would it be easier for us to hold onto spirituality as a gift? Rather than let it slip away with fear of its weight becoming too intense?
As you move into the second reading you see a man, Abraham, who has clung to his faith in the Lord to such an extent that he is prepared to sacrifice his own son for his glory. Abraham goes as far as to tie his son to a plank of wood, and draw a knife for the act. The Lord God will never ask us to do something without reason, without a test to determine our doubt. God stopped Abraham once he saw his commitment to his faith. And rewards him with a bountiful meal for him and his family.
When we hold onto this faith, this spirituality, that exists in everything around us we are constantly reminded of God’s presence in our lives. Often times we are so filled with doubt in the lack of our faith that the sacrifice seems too extreme. During Lent, we practice abstinence and commitment hand in hand. Abstaining from those worldly artifacts that provide us pleasure combined with a commitment to our faith in God through church services, masses, reconciliation, the Eucharist. During this time of sacrifice we are making an effort to hold onto our spirituality as opposed to what seems logical at any given point, and God is always rewarding us with a bountiful meal gratifying our hunger by fulfilling us with his graces. Much like he did with Abraham in the reading.
We have been put to the test. our temptations, our will, and our faith. The third reading and moving into the fourth and fifth God continuously illustrates the gifts we receive when we hold onto our faith. Whether that be the power with which he gave Moses to calm the seas, so does he give us the power to calm the storms in our lives. Or perhaps the lesson in forgiveness with which he promises that even when bad things happen, when he gets angry and sends storms like the days of Noah, that he will never abandon us. that he will always be our redeemer. God gave us free will, and with that we must accept that bad things are going to happen in our lives, but there will never be a time that we can not turn to God where he will not redeem these situations, regardless of how heartbreaking they may seem in the moment.
Back and forth will we always move as if on a boat in the messy seas. God will give us water, and we will spit it out. God will give us light, and we will walk into darkness. God will teach us, but we will lack prudence and understanding in those lessons. The readings continue to illustrate the inevitability of our own mistaken outlook on life. They continue to show that we were not the first, nor will we be the last to face the choice, “Light? Or dark?”, and moreover, we will not be the last to forget that we are never walking alone.
The gospel brings everything together. Gathered at the temple for the anointing Jesus’ mother and friends found an empty tomb, we know that they come to find Jesus in Galilee, just as he had promised. Our Lord sent Jesus back to preach his saving grace. To remind us that he has died for us, and he will die for us again and again. Our mistakes may make us human, but our divine father feels the pain of our nails, hammered in by sin. But no matter how many times that nail is hit, no matter how many times our savior dies for us, we are reminded that he will never abandon us. He will always rise from the tomb, and we will always have the chance to see him again.
Remember, going into this holy weekend is a gift we are given. Entering into the church we roll back the stone that blocks our heart and we open ourselves up to the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves up to be saved.
