Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord Will Be Passing By

Then the Lord said, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by.” Like Elijah, we are staying in our “caves” seeking shelter. We seek shelter from all that causes dis-ease in our lives—hurricanes, fires, COVID-19 and other illness, loss of jobs, and losses of all kinds. We are all experiencing fear. Perhaps the Lord is inviting us too, to stand before the Lord wherever our mountain is, and seek the Lord who will be passing by.

So let’s show up, pay attention, and tell about it. Where are we encountering the Lord passing by so far today? Did you hear the voice of someone you love and miss? Did you see a beautiful sunrise or sunset? Was there an aroma that was new to you? Did your garden bear fresh vegetables? Did your child express curiosity about learning something new? Did a cloud shape remind you of something you need to pay attention to?

Like Peter in the boat during a storm, we can hear Jesus saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Can we get out of the boat, out of the cave, and trusting the Lord, letting go of our fears, live in God’s promise that we are loved and cared for. Will we find the Lord passing by? Will we hear a tiny whispering sound?

A poem written by Kitty O’Meara has circulated in various places.  The links to video versions are here:

In the Time of Pandemic

And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.  And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.  And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed. — Kitty O’Meara.