Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Humans are constantly tempted to trust in our own strength and ingenuity.
This was the story of the ancient civilization described in the Book of Genesis that decided to build a tower that would reach up to heaven. They trusted in their own abilities to find salvation from this world’s problems. But God destroyed the Tower of Babel. God knew what they didn’t: we just can’t reach salvation on our own without divine assistance.
In more modern times we all know the story of the ship Titanic. It was the ship that everyone believed could not sink. Upon its maiden voyage it was a marvelous tribute to the industrious talents of humankind. It sank a few days later. We just aren’t that smart.
Today the first reading talks about the decision of what (or whom) to trust: human beings or God.
The biblical author says that trusting in human beings leads to death: like a dried-out bush in the middle of a burning desert. On the other hand, trusting in God leads to life: like a tree planted beside fresh water.
Of course, the Lord told us to subdue the world and have dominion over it. We will never stop building and bettering our world through industry, medicine, science, music, literature and other human achievements. We do, after all, share in the creative nature of God.
But we must also remember that we are not the creator. While we can tame the world and make progress in technology and the liberal arts, we are still limited by our human powers and abilities. We are not God. It’s good to remember this.
In the end, we may extend our lifespan by new medical treatments and a greater understanding of health and nutrition, but still, we all will die. We may be able to build taller skyscrapers that are safer from the attacks of evil men, but glass will break, and steel will eventually corrode. We may be able to fly to the stars, but the distances between them are prohibitive. We might even become more intelligent in the future, but we will never have the mind of the One who first gave us the ability to think.
And so, where do we turn? In Whom do we place our trust?
God is the only answer.
And, in today’s Gospel God gives us an answer to happiness that is not found in human wisdom. Giving up, not getting more, will make us happy. Being hungry, not being filled up, will teach us to trust in God, the source of every blessing. Grieving, and being empathetic to the plight of others, not laughing at them, will make us more in the image and likeness of God. And being persecuted for the sake of proclaiming that God is to be trusted more than human beings, is the way to find life itself.
Blessed are those who trust in God. They will find happiness and life.
Have a blessed week everyone.