Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Psalm 34:1-8, 15-22
Matthew 21:28-32
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me”. Psalm 34:4
Today’s readings describe crying for help, seeking refuge, offering repentance, accepting correction and making personal change.
Change? Really? Do we want to admit we are on the wrong path – that things might be different? Better? And, we know change is hard! We say we will do something and don’t follow through. The vineyard owner’s son and the chief priests and elders are such examples. But change is possible! The other son, the tax collectors and harlots are those examples – they believed in the way of righteousness. They sought the Lord.
How do we seek the Lord? Through prayer and scripture reading, by extending ourselves to others – a ride to the doctor’s, a phone call, time spent in common interests, smiling at strangers; supporting causes in and beyond our neighborhoods with time, money or goods; going to rallies and speaking about our beliefs and values. All our actions are visible to others and actions offer hope.
William Alexander Percy’s hymn captures the reality of seeking the Lord – a lifelong search and commitment. “They cast their nets in Galilee just off the hills of brown; such happy, simple fisher-folk, before the Lord came down. Contented, peaceful fishermen, before they ever knew the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too. The peace of God, it is no peace, but strife closed in the sod. Yet let us pray for but one thing – the marvelous peace of God.” (The Hymnal 1982, #661)
Martha Bartlett