Psalm 119:1–24
Isaiah 2:1–11
1 Thessalonians 2:13–20
Luke 20:19–26
In the psalm for today, the words “my soul is consumed
with longing...” caught my attention.
Longing is that deep boundless desire that was breathed
into us by God to help lead us home. It is force that moves
us beyond ourselves and keeps us moving. It is our job to
keep in touch with our longing and strengthen it. It is
strengthened through hope. Hope is a choice we make and
grows through recalling God’s goodness and doing small
actions based on that hope.
As much I would like to be consumed by my desire for God,
I find to be consumed by that longing is an awesome and
uncomfortable place to be at times. I struggle with that
desire to know God, do God’s will and be with God and the
self - desires of preservation, security and interest. I am
both restless and peaceful, full of delight and fear all at the
same time, which can be exhausting.
As difficult as the struggle is, the readings remind us we
have a choice on what hope we feed. Both men had the
difficult task of confronting another. The priest was not in
touch with God’s longing and his hope was based on fear
and self- glory which led him into deception. He “hoped” to
trap Jesus and receive the glory of the world but in the end
he failed. Paul believing God was with him, longed to do the
will of God.
That desire led to a hope that the Thessalonians see their
wayward ways. He chose to honestly rebuke and
encouragement them with compassion. Isaiah teaches us
that when we join together in our longing for God, our
hopes for peace, unity and understanding will be a reality.
What is consuming your soul? What actions of hope do you
need to take?
–– Sr. Brenda Jenner, SSJD
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