Strategic Retreat

July 19: Saturday of Week 15 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Micah 2:1-5; Psalm 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14; Matthew 12:14-21

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

Strategic Retreat

Why, O Lord, do you stand aloof? Psalm 10:1

When people mess up the world, God seems to stand back. But the Psalm continues: “You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow, taking them in your hands.” The essential is that God is present to our pain; reaches out; touches us. This is the essential for ministry as well.

We can’t always stop evildoers. Even God doesn’t. He leaves them free. But we can be present to victims. The only real remedy to evil is love. We can give that.

When the Pharisees plotted against Jesus, he “withdrew.” In Matthew's Gospel Jesus never "flees." He "withdraws"—usually into greater solitude. The purpose is to hear God's voice. Our strength comes from union with God, fostered by prayer. We cannot be present helpfully to victims or oppressors unless God is present to us and we to him.

To pray, read God’s word, reflect, is to acknowledge we can do nothing to make the Father known and establish his Kingdom unless the Spirit makes us responsive to Jesus working with us, in us, through us.

If we simply lose ourselves fighting the evil around us, we will make it worse. If we keep our hearts withdrawn into union with Father, Son and Spirit, we can be present lovingly to hate. Only love changes victims into victors.  

“I shall place my Spirit upon him... In his name the Gentiles will hope.”

PRAY: “Lord, hold me.”

PRACTICE: Be present and love.