Day 39: One of God’s People
BY HENRY FRANK | April 9, 2022
Today’s Readings
In today’s first reading, the prophet Ezekiel seems to understand today’s world, and then he offers a prophecy of hope.
He writes:
No longer shall they defile themselves with their idols,
their abominations, and all their transgressions.
I will deliver them from all their sins of apostasy,
and cleanse them so that they may be my people
and I may be their God.
When I made the Spiritual Exercises a few years ago, I remember asking my retreat director how I would know if I was one of God’s people. I had spent a sizable portion of the retreat meditating on things Ezekiel might call abominations. Some of them were my own, and some belonged to others. It was not hard then and it is not hard now to find sin in the world, and it is fair to say I make my own contribution.
I started to obsess over it, becoming frustrated by evil’s intransigence and my own brokenness. “Frustrated” is not a strong enough word. “Agony” or “despair” is what I felt in my prayer. On top of that, I felt confused. Am I not supposed to be indignant and frustrated by injustice? Should I not feel heartbroken when I hear horrifying stories of war a world away?
My director agreed that I should, but asked me this: “Do you find your meditations spiraling inward, deeper into your own thoughts and feelings, or do you feel drawn toward compassion, empathy, and a desire to do something for others?”
Two years later, I’m no better at changing the way I feel, but I try to notice if my indignation and frustration is directing me toward others, compelling me to do something for them, because it is in those moments that I know I am one of God’s people.
For Reflection:
- Take a few moments today to notice if your own frustration is leading toward compassion and action rather than toward despair.
Henry Frank is director of communications for the Office of Ignatian Spirituality.
Thank you. Your comments describe my last few years and give me insight for action.
Everyday I ask the Lord for His compassion. Let my heart be filled with his love so that I may offer that compassion throughout the day. Compassion to me is the time when Jesus healed those asking for His help. Compassion is knowing that whatever is on my mind I need to open my heart to the need of the person right in front of me. Compassion is knowing that Jesus wants more from me. He wants me to pour into the world the compassion of always giving and making room for others. Compassion is being in His presence and knowing that His presence makes the world a different place to be – one filled with kindness, love joy, patience and other attributes that help me in my awareness of His presence. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, O Sacred Heart Devine all praise and all Thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
I am currently sitting at home limited by the effects of a stroke. Unable to drive or work, I thank God for accompanying me each day of my recovery. This has truly been a blest time for silence, prayer and reflection. I know God journeys with me and all his people in their joys and suffering. Praise God for his steadfast love.
My prayer is to show me the way forward to how I can help those who are most powerless, the homeless without sufficient food to eat around the world.
Thanks Henry. Prophet Ezekiel inspires hope so vital for our onward spiritual march.