Saint Andrew, Apostle
Romans 10:9-18 | Psalm 18(19):2-5 | Matthew 4:18-22
I started my daily scripture blog 8 months ago, and in that time, I’ve noticed a pattern forming: The words flow like a brisk mountain stream on some nights, and sleep-inducing molasses on others, but no matter what else I was doing that night, I was never reluctant to sit down and ponder the next day’s Word.
It was as if I was called to this activity, just as Jesus called His first four apostles in today’s Gospel. No hesitation, no “but I’ve got XYZ left to do”, just a quiet commitment to follow the Word of God wherever it would lead me each night, or (for the apostles) to drop everything and follow Christ.
That said, I’ve occasionally wondered if I should perhaps cut back to a weekly blog post, to allow for a deeper reflection like that offered by Fr. Peter Musset and Scott Powell on each Sunday’s readings in their Lanky Guys podcast.
After repeated pondering, I’ve decided to continue following my heart and posting nightly, despite it taking up to two hours to finish each entry. If pressed for a rationalization, I can only offer the following:
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The Bible is the ultimate story of God’s relationship with man – flora, fauna and even a mighty flood only play bit roles. Penning my thoughts on each day’s Word helps me think about my own relationship with God through the lens of many colorful characters: the apostles, St. Paul, Moses and Zacchaeus the tax collector, just to name a few.
All were flawed, yet God played a critical role in each of their lives. I too am seriously flawed, but seeing how each person acknowledged their weaknesses, then let go and let God, gives me great hope for each day, and helps me recover from the guilt of not being the best person I could be.
To know through scripture that everyone lets God down at some point, and some more often and more gravely than others, yet He’s always there to offer forgiveness and redemption, and the strength to do better…that gives me the strength to soldier on in love, despite frequently failing to show such love.
And reading and re-reading the beautiful parables narrated by Jesus during his earthly ministry, helps open my eyes to the daily parables enacted before my eyes,
the elderly cleaner overcoming his creaky joints and weak bones, cleaning each table slowly, methodically and conscientiously
the bus driver waiting for each elderly passenger to be safely seated before moving off
the young girl pausing in wonder at the wailing toddler, then offering him a hug and a bite of her ice-cream
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Just as every priest’s daily sermons inevitably vary in quality and impact with his current health in mind and body, so I’m well aware that my daily entries run the gamut from High Church to borderline crap. As the prolific bard John Denver once said:
Some days are diamonds, some days are stone.
But the Lord calls me every day, not just on Sundays. Sticking to a daily schedule of scriptural blogging, forsaking the equivalent of the Sistine Chapel ceiling for a more pragmatic “One Day at a Time“, helps keep me firmly rooted in the here and now, with just enough courage and conviction to address the world’s troubles, one woe at a time.
Amen.