Life is messy....

Got this yesterday from Annette and it really was good so I thought I would share it with you all!!



"Life is messy. We aren't always able to tell exactly who working for us and who is working against us. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus acknowledges this mess, but he doesn't try to sort out which work is from the enemy and which is from God. He suggests taking the good with the bad. Give it time. It does matter which is which but we can't tell right now. Work for the good harvest, and let God do the sorting. For us result-minded disciples, this is frustrating.




Saint Paul talks about what our efforts can result in right now. This is too close to home. We see our own weaknesses. We don't even know what to pray for. We groan. We can't put what we need into words. We don't know where to start. How much of the world is struggling as we are? Paul say that all of creation is groaning.




Do we dare look into this deeply? Do we want to be reminded of wars,hungers, crimes, natural disasters? If we watch the news, on most nights, it's so paralyzing it's tempting to ignore it all or to give up.




Today's readings offer power in a deep, realistic way. In the middle of all this struggle, that is where God is. God knows the good seed and the weeds. The Spirit prays for us as we groan. We are not alone in all this. The world is difficult, but struggling here matters.




What is the wisdom of God?" (Wisdom 12:12-18):


Wisdom 12:12


12 For who is there to ask, 'What have you done?' Or who is there to disagree with your sentence? Who to arraign you for destroying nations which you have created? Who to confront you by championing the wicked?

13 For there is no god, other than you, who cares for every one, to whom you have to prove that your sentences have been just.

14 No more could any king or despot challenge you over those whom you have punished.

15 For, being upright yourself, you rule the universe uprightly, and hold it as incompatible with your power to condemn anyone who has not deserved to be punished.

16 For your strength is the basis of your saving justice, and your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all.

17 You show your strength when people will not believe in your absolute power, and you confound any insolence in those who do know it.

18 But you, controlling your strength, are mild in judgment, and govern us with great lenience, for you have only to will, and your power is there.

19 By acting thus, you have taught your people that the upright must be kindly to his fellows, and you have given your children the good hope that after sins you will grant repentance.


This gave me hope! I hope it speaks to all of you.