Let Your Life Tell God's Story

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, November 5th, 2023:
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Malachi
​1.14 – 2.2, 8-10

“I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “and my name is reverenced among the nations.

“And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name,” says the Lord of hosts, “then I will send the curse on you and I will curse your blessings; indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.

“You have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of hosts, “and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.”

Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

A recent homily at our parish challenged us to consider whether we were in love with Christ or in love with the idea of Christ. The first reading for this Sunday reiterates this challenge. The Israelites have become comfortable, and this is showing up in how they are honouring God. Instead of following through on a promise to offer the very best sacrifice, a less favourable one is offered, and the Lord challengedsthis complacency.

Between the homily and this reading, the Lord is also challenging me. Does my life tell God’s story through full and total sacrifice that honours and praises Him, or am I living a good public display? Have I become comfortable with the idea of Christ, spending time with Him in public but ignoring Him privately? Am I keeping back the best He has gifted me with in case I need it, or am I actually in love with Christ and sharing Him abundantly?

That small, still voice inside is telling me that there is so much more for me to offer. Publicly, I have a full Christian life. Privately, God knows my heart of stone and that I am not actually fully alive. Like the Israelites, I have gladly accepted His blessings and gifts, and publicly I share enough to introduce people to Him. Privately, that sharing can be mostly to placate my knowledge of the need to give and keep up appearances. My prayer life can be mediocre, except in times when I am in trouble. Like a friend of old, I have become complacent in keeping in touch with Him and showing my gratitude for knowing that everything in life is because of Him. I am confident that there are many days when it would be preferable that I denied knowing Him rather than be the introduction someone has to Him.

It is ironic to think I can actually get away with living a façade when He knows every hair on my head and every aspect of my heart.  

The good news is that God is a God of many chances. He uses every means possible to remind me of my responsibility to recognize my own sinfulness and reignite my desire to be changed from the inside out. He is with me on the journey from my head to my heart and asks only that I truthfully offer the best of what I have been given. 

Let us pray: Father God, I praise You for Your infinite patience with this sinful child. Thank You for calling me to fall fully in love with Jesus Christ and for constantly teaching me. Take my heart of stone and breathe new life into it, creating that heart of flesh that, while imperfect, longs to serve You fully. Let my life always tell Your story. Amen.


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Sandy Graves

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