An entryway into life
O Root of Jesse's stem, sign of God's love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
There is a beautiful path that etches the periphery of a local college not far from the friary where I live. The path itself is laden, to varying degrees, with gravel, mulch, and dirt. It has become a favorite spot of mine to contemplate creation whether during a walk or a run, and, what’s more, the mulch provides a nice cushion, easy on the knees! On one particular run, a few roots of some of the trees were newly exposed unbeknownst to me, and, of course, caught hold of one of my feet, causing me to trip in, what seemed to be, slow motion in the air. I “eventually” landed on all fours, with a few minor scrapes to account for the mishap. These exposed roots caused me to have quite a stumble! Thankfully, no one saw the event to be entertained by it.
Our Scripture today is focused on roots, roots that, when exposed, should cause one to stumble and fall, to be stumped. We hear both from the Book of Judges and the Gospel of Luke the story of two women who were barren, unable to conceive. Their barrenness is exposed and certainly a seeming stumbling block for them and their journeys. Notice, again, however, that God does something new here. The One who exposes the roots and shows them to be not that which blocks life but instead becomes an entryway into life, possibility and creativity.
It may still cause us to fall and to stumble, but more so in adoration and praise of God’s work. In his Confessions, Augustine writes, “Lord, you existed when I was still nothing. You had nothing to work with when you came to make me. Yet here I am, a product solely of your goodness” (XIII.1.1). Ah, it may seem that God has nothing to work with, but this is how our God creates, from the beginning, up until now, and into the future – and without delay.
A reflection written by Kevin DePrinzio O.S.A., Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, US
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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6