A reflection on the daily readings, for Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Father Perry.
“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church.”
There is a famous saying by Oscar Wilde: “When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.”
And of course, there are many variations, another famous one being: “Be careful what you wish for — you may get it.”
Even Mother Teresa chimed in with: “More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.”
They all are getting at the same thing. Getting what we want is often the stuff of our prayers; and that is not always what we need.
The truth is, other than our basic needs being met, there is little more that is essential to live.
Life gives us life on its own terms and we just gotta deal with it.
Nonetheless, we do want many things and we seek after them and even pray for them. But then, we just have to learn to say some other famous words: “It is what it is.”
But the scriptures offer many a prayer of many persons who beg God with all their heart for a favor, for a gift, for a perceived need.
Often, these prayers come out of barreness — either physical or spiritual, or both.
Today that is the case in 1 Samuel when Hannah pleads with God to give her a son — which God does. Hannah’s barrenness is overcome because of her faithfulness; she is blessed with the son she begged God to give to her.
But something more happens here.
To be barren was believed to be a curse. Just to be able to bear a son — to bring a life into this world — that brought meaning and purpose and wholeness and blessing.
But Hannah didn’t just ask for something, she offered something, too.
She promised God that if he would give her a son, she would dedicate that son to God forever.
Her blessing from God would be a blessing given back to God — a total sacrifice.
And so the story goes: “Once the child is weaned, I will take him to appear before the Lord and leave him there forever.”
And she did!
+ Two women today give thanks to God. They are both blessed, each with a son. And in these stories, both were very much so dedicated to the Lord.
Both women, too, give great thanks to God and are in wonder and awe with God for the blessings received.
Mary expressed it in a most marvelous prayer, almost a song: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices. God has looked upon his lowly servant. All generations will call me blessed. Holy is His name.”
But as Mary would see very soon when she presented her son in the temple: With every blessing there may be a curse — or in this case, a cross.
And in this case, it was literally true; although, not to be realized for some time.
Prophetic words accompanied that presentation in the temple. This, stated by Simeon to Mary, in the midst of his blessing: “… And you yourself a sword shall pierce.”
And the cross was revealed to a joy-filled mother; although, it was not to be revealed for many years to come, but boy, what a cross indeed.
In the end, it truly is what it is; or better was what it was.
We hope and long for and seek many things in life. It seems to be the nature of our souls to do so. But as shown today in the word of God, these needs and wants and hopes are appropriately wrapped around our hearts and our souls and our faith.
And we hope and long for and seek them, and hopefully we both receive and give blessings.
As our faithfulness rises up in prayers, hopefully we will find fulfillment, because somehow we may see the hand of God doing his Godly stuff and touching, with love, our lives.
The rest of that O antiphon, today, says it all: “O King of all nations and keystone of the church: come and save man, who you formed from the dust. Alleluia, alleluia!”
From the cross comes salvation, life eternal, glory, and blessing and love over hate. Who would have thought it?
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.
