Matthew 13:47-53 is depicted in a compelling scene in the series “The Chosen.” In it, Jesus teaches his disciples along the shore, with Simon Peter, a fisherman, in his boat. Peter listens and realizes that one day, he, like the fish, will be judged by God. You can see the look on Peter’s face as he reflects on his life, and how it is not where it should be in relation to God and others.
As I thought about the reading from Jeremiah, I was struck by how, at times, we are so willing to allow God to shape our lives, and at others, we decide we want to jump off the potter’s wheel and live according to our own rules.
There’s a song by the group Dire Straits—later covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter—called “The Bug,” which reminded me of the consequences of this when she sings about life. It begins, “Well, it’s a strange old game, you learn it slow. One step forward, and it’s back to go. You’re standing on the throttle, you’re standing on the brakes … In the groove ‘till you make a mistake … (and the punch line) Sometimes you’re the windshield … sometimes you’re the bug …”
In the journey of life, God has sent prophets like Jeremiah and, later, His only Son to remind us that even if we find ourselves taking a step back, God, if we let Him, will work with us to begin again and shape our lives into what is good and pleasing to Him.
Living in this time, with many countersigns to the dignity of the human person, I think it’s important to remember that the Lord has made every one of us to be virtuous and holy people—people who treat others and themselves with a dignity that reflects the truth: that every one of us is made in the image of God.
Every man, woman, and child possess the ability to choose whether we allow God to shape our lives by our openness to His Word, the grace received in the Sacraments—including Confession—and the grace that He showers upon us in other moments, too. It’s easy at times to remain in God’s hands when all is well and life is going as we’d like; but paradoxically, when we most need Him, that is when we might be tempted to rebel or give up.
The gospel reminds us of the stakes of our decisions, and the prophet Jeremiah offers us reassurance in God’s care and hope to begin again.
So, whether you or a loved one are standing on the throttle or on the brakes, whether all is going well or you’ve sinned, the Lord is here for each of us—to make us into what is good and pleasing to Him—if only we place our trust in the Lord.
May God bless you and your families this holy day! St. Alphonsus Liguori, pray for us!
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
