Posted on febrero 14, 2025 View all Gospel Reflection
The floor is lava!
I remember that sometimes when we were bored as children we would spread pillows on the floor and then declare that the floor was lava and we could only get from one place to the other by staying on the pillows. If you slipped and touched the floor you were eaten by the lava and needed to start over. (Think of it like an in real life video game level….)
The image of lava is highlighted in the first reading from Jeremiah. He gives us that image of a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of the season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. (Jer. 17:6) If you look at places where volcanoes have erupted you can see how lava flows have eliminated all life in their path. Lava is very dangerous. There are a couple of places even in the US where you can see this like in Hawaii and Snake River Plain in Idaho. One of the things I learned about lava flows is that eventually life can return to these areas. They call that primary succession. But that takes a very long time and depends greatly on the life that is available bordering the lava flow.
I think that the images provided by Jeremiah are important to reflect on in this manner as well. He says “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream.” (Jer. 17:7-8) I think what we are called to examine is how we deal with adversity in this world. Lava flows are similar to adversity. They come unexpectedly, and cause damage, pain and even death along the way. But what is important to reflect on is how close are we to the Lord. If we align ourselves and are near worldly values, then we are going to be stuck in the lava surrounded by desert. The world does not seek to give rather it takes for itself in a selfish manner. Jeremiah prophetically declares that if we are planted with roots that stretch out to the stream we need not fear the heat when it comes.
Jesus often declared that He is the living water and with which we will never thirst. He desires us to be rooted in him. If we do so, then we will continue to bear fruit even in the midst of adversity. In today’s psalm we see this message echoed in the counsel “Blessed the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade.” (Ps. 1:2-3) In fact this is the very first psalm. Just like the first commandment to love God above all things with our whole heart, soul and mind.
All too often people take the commandments from God and relegate them to just rules. Laws that limit us and keep us in a cage. On the contrary, when God gave us these Ten Commandments, he gave them to us so that we might have life and life to the fullest. He knew that there are things that would destroy our life and separate us from He who is our stream of living water. And so accordingly, these laws free us more authentically.
However, the world does not always see things this way and often criticizes and marginalizes those who follow the Lord. It is for this reason that Jesus in his Sermon on the Plan in today’s Gospel reminds us of how we are to consider ourselves blessed when we are poor in the world’s eyes, when we are hungry, when we are weeping, and when people hate us, exclude us, and insult us on account of the Son of Man. For in fact our treasure will be great in heaven.
As we enter into this week, we are invited to do an examination of our consciences and ask ourselves with whom do we surround ourselves? Are we rooted near the streams of Jesus Christ? Do we spend time to reflect and meditate on the Law and all that Christ has revealed to us? When we do these things regularly, it is then that we open ourselves to receive the graces from Christ flowing like living water to keep strengthening us even in the midst of the lava flows of earthly life. It is our connection to Christ that gives us life and allows us to share that life with those who surround us on our heavenly journey.
