(1) The Mighty One, God, Adonai, is speaking,
summoning the world from east to west.
2 Out of Tziyon, the perfection of beauty,
God is shining forth.
5 “Gather to me my faithful,
those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for God himself is judge. (Selah)
14 Offer thanksgiving as your sacrifice to God,
pay your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me when you are in trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
33rd Week in Ordinary TimeGod the Lord has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. (Psalm 50:1)
Try to stretch your mind around this: a single galaxy can contain trillions of stars. And right now, billions of galaxies are in motion around us.
These celestial communities pirouette through the heavens to the tune of gravity and other natural laws established by God. It’s an immensely complex universe—yet it’s all somehow ordered by the Lord! To paraphrase the psalmist, “When God speaks, the universe listens!”
Of course, stars don’t really have a mind of their own. We do, though. And today’s readings are a down-to-earth reminder that not all of creation is moving to God’s rhythm. In 1 Maccabees, we see the zealous family of Mattathias following God into the desert, while other Hebrews are following a pagan king into apostasy. In Luke, we watch as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because many there hadn’t yet recognized and accepted him as the Son of God.
Out of all creation, we have been graced with the peculiar gift of a free will. It’s peculiar because this gift actually gives us the ability to choose to ignore the voice of our own Creator. But as peculiar as it is, our free will is also an incredible privilege. Out of all creation, we can knowingly and freely say yes to God. And if Jesus weeps over those who are rejecting him, he also rejoices and sings over the ones who embrace him.
“This is love, that we walk according to his commandments” (2 John 1:6). We have opportunities every day, even this very moment, to do just that. We can choose to open ourselves up to the Lord and listen carefully as he speaks to us. In fact, you’re probably doing that right now as you read this meditation, so you’re off to a good start! Then, as we sense the gentle prompting of his Spirit during the day, we can choose again to say yes, and obey.
God will never take advantage of you. He has given you a free will, and he will never force you to follow him. Instead, he whispers in your ear, urging you to place your trust in him. Try to hear his voice today. Use your free will to listen and to follow him.
“Lord Jesus, I give you my yes because I love you.” Amen!
1 Maccabees 2: Pagan worship refused
15 At that time, the king’s officers were enforcing the decrees to give up Jewish practice. They came to the town of Modein to make its people offer pagan sacrifice. 16 Many from Israel came out to them, including Mattathias and his sons. 17 Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias: “You’re a leader, honored and important in this town, and supported by sons and brothers. 18 Be the first to come and do what the king has commanded, as have all the Gentiles, the people of Judah, and those who are left in Jerusalem. Then you and your sons will be counted among the king’s closest political advisors; you and your sons will be honored with silver, gold, and many gifts.”
19 But Mattathias answered loudly, “Even if all the nations that live under the king’s rule obey him and have chosen to follow his orders, departing from their ancestral religion, 20 My sons and brothers and I will continue to live according to our ancestors’ covenant. 21 We will never abandon the Law and its commands! 22 We won’t obey the king’s orders by turning aside from our religion to either the right or the left.”
23 When he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in plain sight to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, in keeping with the king’s command. 24 When Mattathias saw this action, he burned with zeal, and his spirit was stirred up. He gave way to his righteous anger, and he ran over and killed the man on the altar. 25 He also killed the king’s officer who was overseeing the sacrifice at that time, and he tore down the altar. 26 He burned with zeal for the Law, just like Phinehas did against Zimri, Salu’s son.
27 Then Mattathias shouted loudly in the town, “Everyone who is zealous for the Law and supports the covenant should come with me!” 28 So he and his sons fled to the hills and left behind all that they had in the town.
29 At that time, many who sought righteousness and justice went to live in the desert.
Luke 19:41 When Yeshua had come closer and could see the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for shalom! But for now it is hidden from your sight. 43 For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, encircle you, hem you in on every side, 44 and dash you to the ground, you and your children within your walls, leaving not one stone standing on another — and all because you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it!”---------------------
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