Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." (Mk. 10:17-27)
The Gospel today brings me back to August 2005 and Hurricane Katrina. This was my first time understanding what putting your faith in God meant. I have never witnessed faith like this before. My grandparents were already in Maryland on their annual summer visit when the warnings were beginning about this massive hurricane. For most who lived in New Orleans and other states where hurricanes are common, most would not evacuate. They would just bunker down and ride the storm out because that was the norm.
Well, as the storm approached landfall, things escalated quickly, not giving most enough time to get out of danger, and then the levees failed, allowing waters to flow through communities. I never saw my grandparents panic or get anxious about their belongings, even though I am sure they were saddened. Of course, they were concerned that family members were safe, but never discussed what would be left or lost in their home. They had so much peace within them, especially my grandmother, that everyone was safe. I was 30 years old then and could not understand why they weren’t more upset over losing everything.
My grandmother told me she had all she needed. She gave it all to God. I mean, she questioned God’s plan now, but she knew He, the Almighty One, would take care of her and my grandfather. She asked me to think about Mary. Mary said yes, and God used her as a vessel for us to follow her example. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the perfect disciple. Mary and Joseph put their image aside to do the will of God and follow His plan to be obedient. It was not easy. It was painful and full of sorrow, but she gave her only son to be crucified so that we may live. God makes everything possible so we can leave our riches behind. They are for this earthly world, not eternal life.
Twenty years later, we have people experiencing the same type of disaster with two major hurricanes, Helene and Milton. When you have loss of life, it’s hard to tell one that it is God’s
plan, BUT it is. Just because humans don’t understand, doesn’t mean it’s not His plan. Jesus dying on the cross was the plan. God promises us eternal life. Not a life without pain and
sorrow. I have witnessed pain and sadness, but I tell you, I have also witnessed the joy in my soul, and it was worth the storms I had to endure to be at the level of peace my grandmother
displayed in the time of her loss.
Author: Sherie Durand Tazewell, Member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Washington, DC.
So, I tell you, Let Go and Let God.
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mk. 10:21)
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