A reflection on the daily readings, for the Memorial of St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, by Father Perry.
+ Balaam raised his eyes and spoke.
He was completely absorbed with and connected to God, and spoke, saw and perceived as did the Lord — as if they were one.
And such an oracle. Not only did he see prosperity for a people in tents, but he saw that a promise was on the way and proclaimed that it would be fulfilled.
He saw a star and a staff and the beginnings of the salvation to come.
How important to teach and learn and know the ways of the Lord, as sung by the psalmist.
+ And so Jesus comes.
Ah! The star was indeed true! And the staff and authority was his. Also true!
+ But just as true as the prophetic utterances of Balaam was the ignorance and lack of faith.
What was “right before their eyes” could not be seen nor understood.
+ As always, the ball has been tossed to us.
Is this promise spoken long ago real for us?
Do we see and hear and not understand, or do we clearly understand that the “ways of the Lord” are real and vital, and they do give life and they unite us so profoundly to our God?
Jesus’ ways give life because they are life!
+ Yesterday’s message was simple: Rejoice! The Lord is near.
We simply must open our eyes and see. Open our ears and hear.
Open our hearts and come to know clearly the Lord within, the Lord “out there and everywhere.”
He is the promise fulfilled for us!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
