A Reflection on The First Reading For June 17th, 2018: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 17:22-24
22Thus says the Lord GOD: "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar, and will set it out; I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain; 23on the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar; and under it will dwell all kinds of beasts; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. 24And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it."

Through humble beginnings as a simple, young and tender twig, Jesus grew to become a Noble Cedar on the mountain overlooking Israel. Not only is He there to display the Majesty of God, but also for us to seek shelter. In His branches, we find every kind of bird.

Do I want to be counted among those seeking shelter in the warm embrace of Jesus or do I choose to seek shelter in a tree that doesn’t bear fruit and is destined to dry up?

A young electrical engineer fresh out of university, I began my career during the digital take-over, when it was all about high speed, and optical transmission was the latest technology. It was an exciting time, but as quickly as the technology changed, jobs disappeared. I witnessed many bright and competent coworkers lose their jobs, but was relieved to keep my own. By the world’s standards, I was successful. I was making good money, I was a woman working in science and technology, and I was raising a family.

At home, life was busy. I was rushing from meetings to pick up three kids in three different locations, and then struggling to get dinner on the table at a time in the day when everyone seemed cranky and needing attention. After dinner, we’d rush the kids out to whatever activity was on the go, and then rush back home to put them to bed. I would sometimes sit back and question, “Is this what God intended life to be?”. When I looked around, this is the same way I saw everyone else living their lives.

As I grew in my faith, God started to place radical ideas in my mind that made me evaluate how I was living my life. Through prayer, God slowly started to reveal to me that we didn’t need to carry the burden of raising our kids alone. Whatever they are intended to become and whatever their successes are meant to be, He will ensure it happens. He also began to change my heart with respect to the priority I had placed on financial success. Was I ready to trust God and walk away from what I had worked hard to achieve, to pursue a heart of service for my family?
 
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, and after 12 years of working in a fast paced, competitive industry—I quietly stepped away. Today I work part time with the Catholic charity, Chalice, where I am happy doing my part to help share Christ with those in need.
 
I have to remain engaged in my faith by returning to the Noble Cedar at the top of the mountain each day, so I don’t seek shelter in a tree of comfort that calls out to me when I’m tired and looking for the easiest place to rest. If I don’t, I can easily lose my self-worth in a world that is always ready to define me by my accomplishments. Thankfully, that Cedar remains constant—towering over the others, so I can always find my way home.

​Tammy LeBlanc

"Do I want to be counted among those seeking shelter in the warm embrace of Jesus or do I choose to seek shelter in a tree that doesn’t bear fruit and is destined to dry up?" - Tammy LeBlanc (Ora Reflections)