Pastoral Institute

As I sit in the cathedral’s rotunda straining to make out the echoed voice of the lecturer telling us that God chose ordinary people to carry out His plans…I question what it is that I have learned. Who was Abraham? Why did all those maidservants get involved? I cannot remember who it was that begot who that begot who. I am confused about the time line and all the goings and comings from Egypt, Babylon and the Promised Land. Who had the coat of many colors? Who took Joseph out of the well? My obsessive compulsive nature is uneasy with all this confusion. I cower in my seat when the class is quizzed…hoping not to be noticed. I wonder if this is what it’s going to be like on judgment day. I suspect there won’t be any multiple choice questions on that test. Hopefully God will be questioning what is in my heart and not what is in my head. At any rate that “final exam” is going to be difficult enough for me.

Even with all this uncertainty here is one thing I do know and it is perfectly clear. My God is the God of Jacob, the God who let me wander in the desert to forty two years doing what I wanted to do. He is the God who never abandoned me while I proved to myself that breaking God’s rules leads to spiritual chaos. He is the God who welcomed me back with open arms upon my return from a selfish and not so saintly life.

Thank you, Father God, for creating me so ordinary.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for blessing me with so many ordinary miracles.
Please Lord God sent the Holy Spirit to give me the strength that I might carry out your plan in my ordinary life.

Amen
10/8/2008