This Sunday’s readings have a deeply affirming message to share about the security and peace that are founded on living the Will of God in our lives. It all begins with the WAIT.
The Wait
To wait for something is to live with a sense of grand expectancy. Both the first reading and the Gospel give us the image of fertile ground. The prophet Isaiah calls us to expectantly wait for that generous soaking of water that will produce great fruit and ultimately provide nourishing bread, and Matthew calls us to take care that the soil is ready to receive. What does it mean to be ready to receive?
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus points out that simply hearing is not enough: “they…hear but do not listen or understand.” To wait and be ready to receive involves opening one’s heart without any reserve. Truth be told; however, we are unable to open our hearts all on our own. We need His grace, but the good news is that all we have to do is to ask for it!
Waiting on the Lord in prayer can be challenging at times, especially as years roll by and we continue to intercede for the same intention. In the 2nd reading, St. Paul compares this waiting to “labor pains” and a “groan within ourselves.” Yet, notice the tone in this letter to the Romans – it is bursting with joyful anticipation. Something greater, more glorious is on the horizon: freedom and redemption! We can wait confidently in His Word.
The Word
What is the Word? The Word of God is Scripture; no doubt about that, but the Word is also Jesus Himself and the preaching of the Gospel message.
Sometimes we may become a little jaded in our prayer – approaching it dutifully yet with little anticipation. Or perhaps we approach prayer with a lot of talking and little listening. What is so powerful about the Word is that it is never “mere words.” Isaiah assures us that God has something to say, and what he says ALWAYS results in a great harvest. Essentially, the Word (Jesus and His message) makes things happen. It is transformative as it accomplishes the Will of the Father!
The Will
And isn’t His Will what we long for every time we pray the Our Father – that His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven? We can count on God’s promise as proclaimed through the prophet Isaiah: “my word…shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” God’s Word always leads us to His Will.
Accomplishing the Will of the Father can involve trials, but when we wait on His Word with faithful expectancy, we will live in His Divine Will where our ultimate joy lies. Even while doing the difficult things it requires, we will experience that “peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” -Philippians 4:7
As we close this reflection, let us ask our Lord to open our hearts fully and to make it fertile ground for His Word. Let us give Him our will and ask for His in return. An abundant life is ours for the asking!
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