Thirty-Second Wednesday of Ordinary Time

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

As followers of Christ, we might be seen by others as pitiable and misguided. The world might tell us we are deluding ourselves and letting opportunities to enjoy life, improve our lot, and fulfill our desires to pass us by… all in the hopes of an afterlife. The see us choose the uncertain, unverifiable promise of one day joining the Holy Trinity in Heaven over worldly things and shake their heads at us. However, we are not to be pitied. Instead, we should embrace our death to the world and accept our call to choose the heavenly things of the eternal tomorrow over the earthly things of the passing today. It is this hope for a blessed afterlife which should animate our thoughts, words, and works and allow us to become living sacrifices for the glory of God and the good of others.

Are there earthly things that tempt us? If so, then how can we resist those temptations and die to the world? How can we become better living sacrifices to God’s glory and for the good of His other children?

O Lord, give us the peace that comes with being tested and proved in the furnace of your love.

Amen.