B ut it is not so much fear of the Lord that should guide us, but the desire for beauty, goodness, truth, and joy. There is no comparison between the loveliness of the way of the Lord and the unsatisfying lure of lesser goods. 

Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38

Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11

M atthew 13:47-53  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; (48) when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. (49) So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, (50) and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. (51) "Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes." (52) And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his  treasure what is new and what is old." (53} And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there. 

* M editation by Bert Thelen, S.J.

This is the final reading from Exodus, the founding document for the Jewish faith. We go to the Book of Leviticus tomorrow and then to Numbers.

But today's reading describes so vividly not only the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, God's Dwelling, but also its purpose in guiding the children of Israel, slaves in exodus, on their journey to the Promised Land..  Apparently, it was an awesome sight to the people, and a confirming sign of God's providence. It should hopefully, in our prayer, call us to ask the daily question, Where have I recognized or discerned God's presence, "the Dwelling," in my life this past 24 hours?  Have I allowed the Lord to truly lead me? In what ways have I been found unworthy to enter that Presence, and how have I allowed it to shine forth in my words and actions?

As with the Exodus passage, Matthew's thirteenth chapter brings us to the end of Jesus' long discourse, mostly in parables, on the Kingdom of Heaven . Here he reminds us that God does not interfere as a judge separating the good from the evil.  God allows both, and, only at the end of the age, is there a final judgment. Meanwhile, there is good and bad together, in each of us, and among us.  For the line between good and evil cuts right through the center of every human heart.

Again, we are called to an examination of conscience: which side has been winning in me?  God's justice and human goodness or the reign of Satan and human wickedness?  Better to commit myself now to choosing life and love, rather than putting it off until Judgment Day!

But it is not so much fear of the Lord that should guide us, but the desire for beauty, goodness, truth, and joy. There is no comparison between the loveliness of the way of the Lord and the unsatisfying lure of lesser goods.  Pondering these matters and making them deeply personal, I will then pray the glorious words of Psalm 84:

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, Mighty God!

My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God!

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young ---

Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God!

Blessed are they who dwell in your house! Continually they praise you.

Blessed are the people whose strength you are!  They go from strength to strength.

I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."

Supplementary Reading

God is at Work in You by  Sheila Schuller Coleman

God works in you…to fulfill his good purpose. - Philippians 2:13

Wow! You don't have to do this by yourself! How reassuring to know that it is God at work in you. There is nothing more powerful than God himself working through you. And there is no more trustworthy assurance!

God gives you his will-his desires, his purpose, his plan for your life.

God gives you his power-his abilities, his courage, and his ideas to achieve his purposes.

Embrace God's promise. Let it fuel your dreams! Rest on his assurance. Go forth asking and letting him use you today!

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How has God been working in your life recently to fulfill his good purpose through you?

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