Who's the Author?

A Reflection on the First Reading for September 27th, 2020:
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Ezekiel
18.25-28

Thus says the Lord: “You object, O House of Israel! You say, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

“When the righteous person turns away from their righteousness and commits iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die.

“Again, when the wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because that person considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die.”
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

An important reminder, especially in the middle of the year we’re having: God is not the author of our woes. God does not cause pandemics. God does not cause hurricanes — and certainly not so many that we’re dipping into the Greek alphabet to name them. God doesn’t make our loved ones sick. God does not hurt us.


The flip side of this: God is the author of our blessings. God is Goodness itself, so we can say with joyful hearts that He tempers our woes with His goodness.


In watching the progress of hurricane Laura, the hand of God was abundantly clear. The damage to Lake Charles was significantly less than the near certain catastrophe predicted. On Twitter, a family I follow shared pictures of a rosary still hanging from their back doorknob after the storm. To me, that’s proof of God’s goodness and mercy in the face of one of the strongest hurricanes in a century.


God’s goodness can also be seen in the increase in kindness being witnessed all around us. Their kindness is God-inspired and God-directed.


The examples I gave were things beyond our individual control, but this bears out when we are the author of our own woes as well. God doesn’t make me speed and get pulled over. God doesn’t make me eat the wrong food; procrastinate ahead of a deadline; overspend my budget; speak harshly to others. I knowingly make bad choices. When I rail against the consequences and try to pass the buck to others, including God, it’s good to track back and remind myself: God is not the author of my woes. I am responsible for my own actions and choices. Getting mad at God won’t undo that.


We are reminded in this reading that when we do wrong, there are two recourses: God’s mercy and our own actions. I am invited to turn away from sin and turn to God. I can’t unspend the money, un-eat the food, or take back my wasted time. But I can ask forgiveness of those I’ve wronged. I can make better choices going forward. Best of all, I can pray for God’s mercy and grace to keep making better choices. His way is just. His way is truth. His way is life. My way is selfish. My way is hurtful. My way is death.


How truly blessed we are to have a God who forgives us and sends us His goodness. The world is broken, both in my own self and in nature. Please God remind me to praise Him who is worthy of all praise. Teach me to follow Your ways and reject the worst inclinations in my heart, both for my own good and for those around me.




Stephanie Potter

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