The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I currently find myself in a difficult time of waiting. It feels like the desert: lonely, fruitless, and with no end in sight. I have a devotional that prompted me to write out, very specifically and succinctly, my big prayer requests to the Lord. Next to each prayer request is a space to put in the date and how God fulfilled and answered those prayers. After months of daily praying over these requests, the “answer” boxes still sit empty. To say I’ve been frustrated and mad at God due to His lack of fulfilling my requests is an understatement. I certainly can relate to James and John in today’s Gospel, who say to Jesus, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
But, as I read today’s readings, seeing the themes woven through them, I’m reminded that God is a Good Father who wants to give us everything. While I’m 32 years old, I can still often act like a 6 year old who is only happy when I get the things I want. Similarly, I can relate to the older brother in the Prodigal Son parable, failing to recognize and be grateful for all the Father has already given me. I pray I’m able to see with eyes of hope and to trust past my current circumstances. Even though I feel deserted at times, like I’m lacking a lot, I want to trust in the God who has already given me so much. He has “given His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
Furthermore, not only do we serve a God who has good things in store for us, in His own way and His own timing, but we worship One who is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). A therapist once told me, when someone rejects me or I go through something painful, God feels that same pain with me and is right with me in it. In those moments, He has anything but deserted me.
May we continue to approach our God and be bold in sharing with Him our thoughts and desires. And in doing so, may we continue to place our hope and trust in Him, knowing that He is always with us and working things out for our good.
“So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Hebrews 4:16) because we surely serve a God who is upright “and all his works are trustworthy” (Psalm 33:4).
Catherine Huss is the founder and designer of Siena and Co. Swimwear, women’s swimwear with more coverage made ethically in the US of recycled materials. Her favorite conversations combine Jesus and the modern experiences of fashion, relationships, and pop culture. Learn more about this endeavor at siena-co.com