The ideas of seeing the face of God and serving God permeate these readings today. From Jacob in the Old Testament to Jesus in the NEW, we are called upon to trust in and serve the Lord.
The thought of wrestling with a super power at first seems impossible. However, when we put that wrestling into our everyday lives, we can perhaps better understand. How often are we torn with doing what we know is right or doing what is the easy, more conventional choice? I see Jacob’s wrestling as symbolic of our daily struggles – while I don’t pretend that I wrestle with God, I certainly struggle with what He has taught and demands as the right way to live. In prayers, we ask for such perseverance to be able to survive this bout and move on. One only has to watch the news for a few minutes to see the struggles we all face – with each other and with the environment. Our faith is tested by forces and actions we may not understand but we must remain steadfast to make it through the night and see the other side.
The image of seeing the face of God was a powerful one for me. I thought about how many times we are blessed to see the face of God and I wondered how many times it is there in front of us but we don’t see! There is a beautiful line from the last song in the musical Les Misérables: “… to love another person is to see the face of God.” It is clearly through our faith, our love for one another and for God that we are able to survive these earthly struggles. I can’t imagine what so many are facing this summer with the floods in the Midwest. Losing homes, land, livelihoods – yet I do believe they are not alone – the hand of God is there to hold them up, to support them as we are called to be there as good neighbors and help as we can.
These notions tie in nicely with the Responsorial Psalm and the belief that as we are just, we shall see the face of God. How do we practice justice in our daily lives? The concept of justice is not just for a few who may have vocations in which they must make just decisions, rather it is the very nature of our day-to-day lives. This psalm is such a beautiful representation of faith and trust. I need to be reminded of that from time to time. It provides me much comfort to know that no matter what, I do not walk these struggles alone. The psalm is an admission of the trials that we must live through knowing that we will prevail if we keep our faith. In this day and age, it is easy to think that if we do not win on our terms, we have lost. However, I have to believe that these victories will soon pass – our prevailing is much greater than a victory here on earth. We are called beyond these earthly pursuits to a greater victory when we see the face of God. Gratefully, I am reminded that we were never promised an easy or smooth journey – rather one where we would never be alone through the turmoil and challenges. That promise is never broken!
Our gospel brings one other challenge to us – to be the laborers in this abundant harvest. As we have heard in readings since Easter, the apostles are only the beginning in the growing church. It rests upon all of us to continue to spread the word through our living example. I will close with some words from St. Francis of Assisi. His statue stands amid my beautiful flowers where I am reminded daily of the face of God. St. Francis had so many wise words – two phrases to consider today:
“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Nancy Shirley
I returned to Creighton in December 2003 having previously taught at Creighton from 1980-1989 and involved in many campus activities including ILAC and CEC House. Since returning, assumed Faculty and Administrative roles on both Omaha and Phoenix campus prior to retirement August 2022. Served as the Nursing Director for ILAC from 2013 – 2021 and as a reservist in the Army Nurse Corps for 23 years.
I am a grateful child of God, wife, mother, nana, and retired nursing professor. My husband and I met at church and have walked this extraordinary journey together experiencing CEC in 2004 and growing more committed to our beliefs. In addition to my husband, I am blessed with a wonderful daughter and son, who in turn are blessed with wonderful partners. My son’s four children bring us all endless joy and delight. My daughter’s daughter (our youngest grandchild in Phoenix) has been a true gift beyond description. In early 2023, I became a Great-grandma!! I am now retired faculty at Creighton having taught nursing here from 1980-1989 and returned “home” in 2003 to teach nursing at all levels and to administer the undergraduate program on both campuses until 2022. My mantra has been My life is God’s gift to me; what I do with my life is my gift to God!!
Now in retirement, I appreciate more and more all the ways that I find God in my life especially through my family and garden and through music and song. I find listening to Christian music daily in the car keeps the right message in my head. It is, indeed, a blessing to be part of this ministry. Writing reflections is an opportunity to ponder the readings deeply in my heart and to share those musings and some music that further touches my soul. I am a recipient of God’s grace with each one I write.
