March 25/Fourth Wednesday of Lent
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the LORD
“To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart.” ~ Ps 40.7
As I sit down to write this afternoon, word has just come that the beaches surrounding the coastal town where I live are being closed to all but property owners and necessary personnel. With little else to do and a spell of warm weather, area residents have been flocking to the beaches and ignoring calls for social distancing — a real no-no as the corona-virus takes hold. It is hard enough, sometimes, to obey the minor rules when they inconvenience us; how much harder is it for us to adhere to sweeping regulations that challenge our very way of life. Obedience has never been easy where free will is at play. If this is true with local and national governments, how much more is it true with God. Raise your hand if you can honestly chime in with the psalmist and say, “To do your will, O my God, is my delight.” Because more often than not, the will of God gets in our way, hinders our plans. We want to conquer cities: God plants us in a village. We aspire to hit home runs; God asks us to bunt. We crave a quiet life out of the fray; God propels us into the midst of civic or professional or family frenzy. In these times of rapid unpredictable, and frightening change, it is more important than ever that we quiet our inner clamor and listen through prayer and reflection for God’s direction. Clarity will come to us, one way or another. For as Cardinal Newman observed, “Whether He commands by a visible presence, or by a voice, or by our consciences, it matters not, so that we feel it to be a command.”
God of wisdom and truth, Give me the patience to listen for your voice, the courage to receive your word, and the fortitude to enact your command. Amen.
To hear “If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee,” click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfYKN6Jw1o
For today’s readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032520.cfm
