THE POWER OF A GOD-SURRENDERED LIFE

READINGS: THIRTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Deep down inside, we all like to be in control and to take charge of our own destiny. Unfortunately, though, circumstances can leave us at the mercy of things we can’t control—sickness, accidents, natural disasters, pandemics, even death— creating anxiety, desperation, and even hopelessness.

On this 32nd Sunday, the first reading (1 Kings 17:10-16) tells the story of a woman who was about to die through starvation; a three-year drought had brought her family to their last meal. It was to such a woman that God sent Elijah, the prophet, to ask for water and bread. Now, we all know, how difficult it is to share bread with others, when you don’t even have it enough for your own children. Yet, Elijah asked this woman for a portion of that last piece of bread and told her that God had promised that she will not die of starvation, “for the jar of flour will not diminish nor will the jug of oil run dry”. What was this woman supposed to do? Believe God or believe in her own instincts. She must have been a woman of great faith for she chose to believe God; to believe that God will be faithful to His promises; to let go and let God. So, she baked the bread and took it to Elijah. Scripture tells us that when she got back home, she discovered that the jar was full of flour and the jug overflowing with oil. So, just at the time when all seemed hopeless and the only certainty was starvation and death, this woman believed God and so witnessed the power of God’s promises.

My friends, the words of Elijah to this widow are no different from God’s word and promises to us, as we find them in Scripture. The question is, what do we do? Do we stick to our own plans and reassert our control, or do we trust God and surrender our lives to Him? It wasn’t easy for this woman to surrender to God’s promise, nor did she know that the promise would come true. But her trust and obedience paid off. Just as God promised this woman, so has He promised us when Scripture says: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house; put me to the test and see if I do not open the floodgates of heaven for you and pour down upon you blessing without measure!” (Malachi 3:10)l, “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38), “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28-30), “Seek ye first the kingdom and righteousness of God, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33), etc. The quest is, how do we react when we hear these promises?

Scripture tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverb 3:5-6). Let us believe God when Scripture says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Proverb 55:22), and “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). So, when the days are dark and no light in sight, let our prayers remind God of these promises, for it is He who said, “I have promised it, and I will do it” and “I am watching that every word I have spoken comes to be true”. The Bible tells us that “Every promise of God is “Yes” in God and “Amen” unto us in Christ Jesus. May our faith in God and His promises never experience a drawback, no matter what, Amen.