Enveloped by Acceptance

12/1/2023

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, January 15th, 2023:
The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians
1.1-3

From Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and from our brother Sosthenes. To the Church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today is a soft day. As I write, the snow is falling so gently, it seems as though God has switched the world to slo-mo. My house is quiet and still, my dog wrapped in a doughnut at my feet. By contrast, my mind is moving like a freight train, breaking the softness like a raging bull charging through a crowd, the pace of my heart disproportionate to my sedentary body. This has been my baseline disposition for months now, as I struggle to find a rhythm in the call of my apostleship. This mixture of desire for stillness with the sensation of being shot out of a cannon is one that feels less rhythmic, and more like tripping forward in an effort to catch the momentum of my body with my feet. I am off-kilter. Perhaps this is the way of the sent. Maybe rhythm is found in the acceptance of the imbalance.

Paul’s greeting also seems to be caught in this melding of polarity. He is saying so much; and yet, not a lot. As he speaks of the will of God and his calling by Him, I think of this gift of the release of Paul’s imprisonment in resentment and his persecution of others, only to accept being physically imprisoned and receiving the persecution of others. Interior freedom for exterior bonds. Because of his experience, I sense he would understand this conflict I’m experiencing; though, according to his writings, he was far better at acceptance than I. This wrestling match within me seems to be wrapped up in that one word: “acceptance.” Acceptance envelops the union of my will with God’s. Acceptance opens for me a pathway to the vision God has for my life – far more impactful and fruitful than a life of my own construction.

What is particularly salient in Paul’s greeting is that all of God’s chosen “call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In suffering, I can call on His name. In confusion, I can call on His name. For direction, I can call on His name. His name brings rhythm to my arrhythmia. Calling His name leads me to acceptance.

According to our liturgical calendar, we are now in Ordinary Time. This time in the cyclical rhythm of our Church is the perfect time to allow all the fruits of Advent and Christmas to come together within our bodies, minds, and spirits and consolidate there. If you are willing, I’d like to lead us in a prayer of acceptance of all that has come to us in these profound seasons of contrast, where the world’s expectations rub up against God’s and can leave us feeling conflicted.

Let us pray:
Jesus, my will is strong, and my faith is weak.
This world has caused me suffering and grief.
I trust Your will is gentle and true.
I call on Your name and receive Your peace.
Amen

Lori MacDonald

7 Comments

Stephanie Potter

12/1/2023 06:12:12 am

“ Maybe rhythm is found in the acceptance of the imbalance.”

This really spoke to my heart. Whenever someone speaks of rhythm these days my brain leaps to the Message interpretation of the Bible. Matthew 11:28-30 has a section that reads “ Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” When we’re trying to force the rhythm we think belongs everything feels heavy. Right now life can feel like I’ve fallen into a rushing river. Once I let go and embrace the current, I find peace in the movement.

Lori

12/1/2023 10:13:35 am

Ah, Steph, I love the line from The Message, "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace," and the water imagery you've shared. I read a book once (shocking, I know) called Deep In The Wave, and it was filled with this imagery of the life-saving effort of effortlessness when a wave is sweeping over you. Just as you said, letting our bodies relax and be moved by the current is our only hope of finding our way back to the surface.

Alana

12/1/2023 07:21:12 am

Amen Lori. Thank you for your beautiful reflection. Two different things struck me in particular. The first was the line in the scripture: “called to be saints“ which immediately called to mind a deal holy and elderly priest who was home visiting calling out to me across a room of people “Hey Alana, still want to be a saint”. A beautiful reminder now, as it was then, of the eternal we are all called to. Lord, help us to keep focused on our primary vocation - to all one day be saints in Heaven and to help bring as many people as we can with us. Amen

And second: Lori your reminder of how we can always call on the same or Jesus in all situations really hit me as a beautiful practical way to help me stay focused on the present and help keep that goal of being a saint in Heaven close. I also thought it cool that I ljust earned this week (by one of the trivia questions on the Hallow app) - that January is the month the Church honours the Holy Name of Jesus. So super timely! Praying for all of you! Love and hugs and prayers. 😊🙏🏻💕xo

12/1/2023 10:17:36 am

That's so cool! I didn't know January was the month of the Holy Name of Jesus! Grateful for the movement of the Holy Spirit, and for the gift of those fleeting moments when we are truly present to Him.

Lisa

15/1/2023 09:50:10 am

This part really speaks to me:
“In suffering, I can call on His name. In confusion, I can call on His name. For direction, I can call on His name.”

I am known to hide out when things get to be too much. I retreat to my bed, and distract myself with Netflix. My rational brain knows I should pray in these times. My body however, is reacting in a “freeze” response. But the past couple of days, I have decided to ask Jesus to sit with me and watch Netflix with me. I have realized that even though I’m hiding, I can hide out with Him. I can call on His name in these moments - moments of suffering and confusion. And He meets me where I am. For that, I am so grateful.

15/1/2023 12:52:31 pm

Oh Lisa, what a comfort it must be to be hiding out with Him. There is a softness in the way you’ve allowed yourself to accept this place you find yourself in, and it matches the softness of our Lord’s approach. Be with Him in His gentleness, sister.