8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mar. 2, 2014
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
In our society today there is a great love for pets. All we need to do is scroll down the news feed on Facebook to see pictures and videos of people’s beloved animals. So many people have one or more pets. This may reveal an inner need for companionship in our technological age, which emphasizes quick and distant communication. More than ever our relationships with family and friends tend to be more superficial. However, my dog is always there for me. He is reliable, and always coming to the door to greet me with love when I get home.
Besides their companionship, animals can also teach us a lot about God’s providence and care over every creature. We are told today that the “birds of the sky” do not sow or reap. They are not frantically trying to control their lives. These animals are not anxious about having money for a comfortable lifestyle or about their children or the economy.
Worry is pointless
Worry is one of the most pointless things that we can do. As Jesus says, “can any of you by worrying add a single day to your lifespan?” Animals don’t have this problem. They just act on their instinct and live. We can learn a lot from our pets about how to just “BE.” Our animals do look to take care of themselves by seeking food and shelter, but not with anxiety.
In the Book of Exodus, God said to Moses, “I AM who AM.” This profound statement reveals to us all that the Lord is not dependent on anyone for anything; he just IS. God holds all things into being. He is all loving, all powerful, all knowing, and all present. We really have no clue just how close HE is to us! God is in everything and everywhere. We couldn’t take our next breath without Him.
So if God IS, then we only have to BE. We do not have to constantly worry about this or that. To BE means that we go about our tasks and rest in the arms of a God who loves us more than a mother loves her infant. The animal does this so well, because they do not have an Intellect or a Will. They act on instinct and cannot understand themselves or the world enough to make free choices. So Fido always does God’s Will perfectly since he is living in the moment held in being by a Loving God.
Live by Providence
Oh, if we could only live by Providence! If we could just BE what we were meant to BE. But it is not at all so easy, is it? We are afraid of the unknown…evil exists and it impacts our lives every day. The knowledge of the possibility of suffering and struggles can paralyze us! This will happen if we do not know and believe firmly in Providence — that God governs all things according to His good pleasure for our benefit and our sanctification.
As we prepare for the beginning of the Holy season of Lent, let us consider that the best Lenten practices are the most practical. The essence of the Christian life is having a relationship with God who loves us. The best thing we could do this Lent is grow in this relationship. To draw close to the burning bush and hear as Moses did: “I Am.” There is nothing to fear or be anxious about so long as we stay close to the Creator of All. He is love, which casts out all fear. So, let us draw close and find our rest. Just BE who we were meant to BE.