Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

The context of the first reading today might seem familiar to some of you.  Two weekends ago we heard the beginning of this story, hearing what happened to the first four brothers.  Today we hear about what happened to the mother and the youngest son.  In hearing this story and meditating on it, we might have a hard time understanding why this family was willing to do this.  What would give a mother and her seven sons the courage to face such terrifying opposition?  It is important to remind ourselves that this was not the first time this family had considered how important their faith was.  They did not practice their faith when it was convenient for them: they lived it out faithfully and consistently. 

We are called to do the same thing with our Christian faith.  We do not just pray when bad things are going on and we happen to think of it.  We don't just go to Church (going to Mass or a service) just because we happened to get up on time and we have nothing else to do on Sunday.  Faith is not a passing thing, it should be a deliberate thing that is a consistent part of our lives.  By doing this, we already know that our relationship is important and we will have the grace and the courage necessary to stand up for our faith when others challenge us. 

This requires us to prepare ourselves and get ready.  We need to work at praying, building a relationship with Christ and being better Christians.  It seems to me to be part of what Jesus is getting at with the parable today.  We are told He is responding to those who thought the Kingdom was coming right away.  It will not, and just like the two servants who are rewarded for their hard work, we need to make preparations as well.  Don't worry, God will help us, we just need to put in a little effort ourselves.