33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Stubble or Healing Rays

Stubble is the leftover stalks in a field that has just been harvested, painful to step on, especially if you are bare-footed. Stubble is also what male facial hairs are in between being clean-shaven and growing a full beard. I’m told that this in-between time is pretty scratchy, itchy, and generally uncomfortable.

None of us would choose to be stubble, but Malachi tells us that the proud and evildoers will be stubble. How then do we rid ourselves of pride and evil-doing? Malachi tells us, “But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.”

To fear the Lord’s name is to be filled with awe and praise at the works of God. As for justice and healing, we are all wounded in some ways, and justice can help us heal. What would the “sun of justice with its healing rays” look like in our lives? For what work of justice-making do we have a passion? What will bring about healing? Healing, health, wholeness, and holiness are all related.

Let’s listen to the words and actions suggested in our Eucharistic liturgy this weekend. May they be “healing rays” for all of us, for our families, our parish community, our country, and our world.