Oct. 21st, 2007: 29th Sunday Ordinary (C)
How long does it take to thaw a whole frozen chicken? Well it depends on how you thaw it. I remember my mom would put it out on the counter for an hour. But usually the quickest way to thaw it is to put it in a microwave for 10 to 15 minutes.
Sometimes we come to expect problems in our lives to be solved quickly as in a microwave. We come to expect by applying this advice here, that solution there, our problem will be solved over night. But as we all learned over time, some problems seem to take forever to go away. How many of you wives and husbands imagined before getting married that you could change your spouse's personality? How many of you are still praying for that to happen?
In matters of life, time does not shrink like the way we expect it in a microwave. And unlike a cable TV channel, we cannot click our remote and change to a channel that is more exciting. Life requires patience and perseverance. And while we are waiting we may get tired. Why is it that time passes quickly when we are having fun but it slows down to molasses when we are suffering?
We find in our first reading that Israelites were insured of victory in battle against Amalekite tribe when the staff of Moses were lifted high. When Moses gets tired and lowers the staff, the victory seemed more distant. So Aaron and Hur assist holding up Moses' staff. We wish sometimes that solution to our problem is finding that victory staff or the magic bullet. In Mose's case it is not the staff itself but determination, perseverance and people around him who supported him as he grew tired. For those who are looking for the perfect job, it is not the job itself, but our commitment to diligence and integrity. For those looking for a perfect marriage, it is not determined by a perfect spouse, but our commitment to live out what we promised on our wedding day even when our marriage is going stale and tired. For those seeking to be a saint, it is not about receiving supernatural signs, but small acts of kindness and patience when we experience irritation. Our Lord instructs us in the Gospel, in all matters that seem insurmountable, to pray always without becoming weary.
Can you think of one problem or challenge in your life at this moment that you are seeking a quick solution? Can you ask Our Lord today if He can grant you patience and perseverance to wait for a solution in His time and in His way?
