Sunday’s Readings 1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146:7, 8-10; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
From the Pastor’s Desk… “We trust because we believe”
We all experience times when trusting in God just doesn’t seem to make sense. It may be the sudden death of a spouse or a child, learning one has a terminal illness or being laid off a job. When we experience events like these, we may find ourselves feeling confused and angry with God. We may question how such an event could be part of God’s plan.
Those feelings are neither good nor bad. It’s how we deal with them that matters most in terms of our relationship with God. For example, if we bury our thoughts, emotions and questions, bitterness and resentment can build up in our hearts and cause us to turn away from God.
If, on the other hand, we acknowledge our feelings and doubts, the Lord has promised he will give us the strength and grace to shoulder our burdens and persevere in faith. How can we do this? When we turn to the Lord Jesus in prayer, we can say: “Lord this doesn’t make any sense to me right now. Give me the strength I need to keep moving forward,” or, “Lord, help me in the midst my trials and doubts.” We may not get instant answers or relief. But when we trust God even when it doesn’t make sense, and when we feel that we are just holding on to our faith by a thread, God will lead us to the light of brighter day. Our faith will grow stronger, and so will our capacity to help others as they go through times of struggle and doubt.
We are blessed that today’s readings offer several examples of the good that comes from trusting in God, even when it does not seem to make sense. In the first reading, the widow of Zarephath, who was on the edge of starvation, trusts in the promise of God spoken to her through the words of the prophet Elijah: that if she prepared a meal for the prophet, the Lord would surely provide enough food for her and her son to eat.
In the Gospel, a poor widow donates two small coins, which is all that she had to live on, to the Temple treasury. Through this action, the widow surrenders her whole life into God’s hands, trusting that he will provide her with what she most truly needs. Though we don’t know the end of the story, it seems safe to conclude that God – as he always does for his dearly beloved sons and daughters – provided for her needs.
So this day and every day, whether it seems to make sense or not, let us keep the faith. Let us trust that God in his goodness and love will never leave or forsake us, and will provide us with what we most truly need.
God bless you,
Fr. Oscar
