Sunday Readings for August 23-24, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission
Nearly every child has had an experience of being reprimanded by a parent. As a parent, you have done something similar when you were a child, and now you have experienced it as a parent. The reaction of a child to discipline can be manifold- the child could become upset and have even more outbursts, or the child could give the silent treatment to the parent or even scheme to run away, or the child could realize what needs to change and take corrective action going forward. I’m betting you have done one or all of these or have experienced them. How a child behaves or reacts to a parent can also mirror our relationship with God.
The second reading from Chapter 12 of the Letter to the Hebrews speaks about not disdaining the discipline of the Lord or losing heart when reproved, with the encouragement to endure our trials. As children of our Heavenly Father, we have probably acted toward him in one of the ways mentioned. I’d like to broaden the notion or understanding of discipline here. I think there are some things that happen (according to God’s plan) which might not be discipline per se but are seen in this relational context and perceived as unwanted by us, his children.
Have you ever yelled at God in prayer, shouting or begging for an answer as to why something happened? Have you stopped praying or going to Mass because you didn’t understand why God allowed something to happen? Or have you realized over time how God’s will was better than your own?
If your answer is yes to any of those questions, know that you are in good company. Last weekend, on the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we began this sequential reading of Hebrews 12, and it stated that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Know that the saints have experienced the same things that we have and they endured it, knowing that God had a plan and that his ways were better than their own. St. Teresa of Avila became so annoyed at God once that she remarked, “If this is how you treat your friends, I wouldn’t want to be your enemy.” The saints knew trials and they endured them. In persecution, they believed something better awaited them after this life.
I can think of several times that I prayed for something and the outcome was different than what I wanted. I was upset and one time, I cried. But after several months or even years, I now look back and I am grateful that things didn’t happen as I wanted. Maybe we can perceive this as the discipline of the Lord, knowing that he sees the big picture and I do not. Be assured, the Lord God loves you as his son or daughter. We endure whatever happens to us in this vale of tears, knowing that the Lord will bring us to a point of rejoicing. Have faith and trust in the Lord during times of trial.
Fr. Edward Looney serves as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano, and priest celebrant at St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil, Wisconsin. You can follow him on social media at @FrEdwardLooney.
The readings for Sunday, August 24, can be found at Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB.