ln today’s reading from lsiah we hear that “he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled.” Do we allow our ears to be opened to God’s words? Do we rebel when we do not like what we hear? Do we give our backs to those who beat us? Or do we complain and say, ”That’s not fair!”
How often have we said, “God, why have you abandoned me?” I have often beard that ”when opportunity knocks, most often it is dressed in overalls and looks like work!” To rephrase it for today’s Gospel, “When God knocks, most often he brings us a cross to help him carry,” such as with Simon, the Cyrenian. Are we willing to help Jesus with “his cross” as be helps us with ours? We often confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, yet are we willing to make that confession when it means sufl’ering or persecution or financial disaster? As we listen to the passion this weekend, let us ask God for the grace to appreciate what Jesus did for us, and to give us the grace to do the same for him!
Countenance of God 