God and Nature
June 15, 2008
Gospel:
Readings: Hos 6:3-6, Mt 9:9-13
Today’s first reading, from the prophet Hosea begins: “In their affliction, people will say: Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord.” I think the prophet is touching upon a fundamental question that has always concerned and confused people: What is the relationship between God and, what we call, “Nature”?
There are four primal elements of nature: earth, wind, fire and water – and they have caused the greatest natural disasters on our planet: earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes, wildfires and floods. What part God plays in these events? Does God directly send us all of these, perhaps in payment for the sins of mankind - or does God simply permit them - or does God have nothing to do with it? On a practical level, are we wasting our time praying that great natural disasters be averted - or that it does not rain on our parade or picnic?
Personally, I do not believe that God sends natural disasters to keep us in line. Nor do I believe that there is anything that God cannot control. Why God permits natural disasters to occur – and why God allows bad things to happen to good people – these are things that God has chosen not to confide in me – or to my knowledge – in anyone else. So, until He does I think we should keep on praying.
Hosea reminds us that it often takes affliction of some kind to prompt people to seek and know God. He also tells us that this sudden devotion is usually fleeting – like a morning cloud or the dew that early passes away.
It’s like the man who was late for an important meeting and was looking for a parking space. As he is driving around the block, he prays: “God, if you find me a parking space I will go to church every Sunday and give up drinking.” Suddenly a parking space appears - and he says, “Never mind, I found one myself.” How quick we are to ask for God’s help – and how slow to acknowledge it when it appears.
What does God want from us? Jesus rarely asked anyone to “love me” or “obey me” or, even “learn from me” - but I counted at least seventeen times when Jesus said to someone what he said to Matthew: “Follow me.”
In those days when a master or teacher moved his disciples would follow behind him in a line – much like ducklings follow their mother – but that is not what Jesus meant by “follow me.” He wanted them to follow his teaching and his example.
He clearly said to all within the sound of his voice – Pharisees, sinners, tax collectors and disciples – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” It is the same message that God spoke through Hosea hundreds of years earlier: “It is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts.”
Then Jesus makes a powerful declaration: “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” He is not saying that he spends time with them because they are sinners – although sinners are often more interesting to be around than the self-righteous. He is not saying that it is perfectly all right for them to continue in their sinfulness.
He is saying that sinners are like people who are sick – they need to be healed - and Jesus wants to assume for them the role of physician. When I was a child, I suffered from a slight case of asthma. It only manifested itself when I had a cold - but when I got sick, I couldn’t breathe, so my mother would call the doctor. They made house calls in those days – and I can still remember the relief I felt when the doctor walked into my room. His mere presence was a sign to me that I was going to feel better.
Jesus is the great physician – the great healer. His mere presence can help sinners to repent. It can change our hearts. It can even bring about physical healing.
That is why the Eucharist is so important. We cannot get any closer to Jesus than when we allow him to become part of us.
Sometimes the physician needs an assistant – that’s where you and I come in. We can help bring about the healing power of Christ by what we say and do. The most important thing is not to be judgmental – like the people who criticized Jesus for dining with tax collectors and sinners. Sinners are always welcome in the house of God – because that is where they will find Jesus – and where they will find healing.
We do not know if our prayers have any effect on the forces of nature – but I think God wants them anyway. God does not need them, but we do. We need them to get through whatever disasters we may have to face – whether they be natural or of our own making. We need them because they are the means through which receive the healing power of God.
Jesus said to Matthew, “Follow me – and he got up and followed him.” You and I are here because we have chosen to do the same. All He asks is that we give Him our devotion, our faithfulness, our love and our lives.
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