I grew up being expected to eat what was served, even lima beans! Fortunately, my mom is a great cook, so everything looked and tasted great, but still, there was the expectation that she knew what we needed to grow up healthy.
In families, parents share a responsibility to make sure children have what they need to grow up in a safe and healthy manner. But this doesn’t end just with physical needs. Parents and grandparents and other adult relatives are called to teach young people the need to make a choice in their lives when it comes to listening and following God.
What I admire about the prophets is their willingness to say the hard things that men and women, and even children, need to hear. In the case of today’s reading, the bottom line is: “Are you with God or not?” Sometimes, to answer, “Yes, I’m with you, Lord,” means that we’re going to face criticism and other hardships. But the question is, what matters more? Is it following God’s way, or making our own rules?
Most of the time, if we look back honestly, we can see that short-term sacrifice, like eating your vegetables, leads to long term gains such as learning to like was is good for us in the long run. The same is true for eternity when we learn to trust in the Word of God.
Are there going to be some things hard to face? Of course. But, just as when we go to the doctor, and he or she tells us we have a problem, God wants to make us well too.
Maybe like you, there have been countless times when I’ve been reading and reflecting about a reading or gospel that I’ve heard God’s voice speaking to me, the Divine Physician pointing out an ailment that needs immediate attention.
So, no matter what you think about lima beans, what really matters is: Are we listening to God and trusting His Way? Are we willing to be prophets to those God has given us, especially in our families?
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Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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