Readings: Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13; Psalm 119; Luke 8:19-21
Today’s first reading from Proverbs gives good advice about living life well. It contains an array of Solomon’s wisdom. They include doing what is right and just, being humble, being diligent, being honest, the value of accepting instruction, and so on. Although all of this is solid advice, the final saying in today’s reading seems most relevant to our times: “If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.”
These are troubled times – with the COVID-19 pandemic, revelations of systemic racial injustice, divisions sown by those who are called to serve. Yes, it is so easy to get discouraged and shut others out of our lives. It’s easy to think, “I have to take care of myself.” It’s now more about me than we.” Yes, it is easy, especially in this pandemic when we do not personally meet so many people, when we are sort of isolated. But it is not right. God’s word reminds us of the importance of hearing, of listening to, of understanding those in need. This is a time when we need to put these narcissistic feelings behind us and focus on trying to understand those who are suffering, trying to empathize with those who suffer so we can be in solidarity withthem.
The Gospel reading from Luke gives us an insight into this dilemma. Jesus is in a crowd when he is told that his mother and brothers are outside and want to see him. He responds by saying, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Jesus is not denying the importance of family: He’s emphasizing a new set of relationships found in Christ. The basis of these relationships is hearing God’s words and taking action on them. Those who do so are his family. So, we not only hear the cry of the poor, but we do something about it. What we do is up to us, but I have to believe it means more than just reflecting on the suffering of the poor. It means doing things to alleviate the suffering. Just suggestions: it means taking actions that are “right and just.”; spending time with those in need of companionship and understanding; donating to charities that provide necessary services to those in need; getting involved in community and neighbourhood projects. If we are still struggling to determine how best to act on the word of God, there is no better model than Jesus himself.