Homily for 14 Jan 2016

14 January 2016

“If” is such a little word, but in a life of faith, it’s pretty important.  We heard how the Israelites had the ark of the Lord—the “power of God”—right there in their hands.  But instead of asking Yahweh how to deal with the Philistines, they just took the ark into battle; perhaps, over-confident that God’s will was the same as theirs.  They didn’t think about that little word: “if.”

But we do hear it on the lips of the man with leprosy: “If you wish, you can make me clean,” he said to Jesus.  “If you wish;” if you will it, Lord.  Jesus is very much like the ark—he is the vessel of the “power of God;” certainly not someone to be ordered around as though we were the Lord.  And so, the word “if” is very important when we call upon the power of God.

God’s going to do what God’s going to do.  As much as we want him to be on our side; it’s more important to be on his side.  You know, it’s fine and good to say: “Lord, I need help with this; Lord, would you come with your power and heal this disease or illness; Lord, can you do this or that for me?”  We should tell Jesus what our needs and our desires are.  But, our prayers always have to be made in the spirit of that little word, “if.” 

“If it is your will, Lord.”  And that can be a hard word to say, but it’s the right word to say.  And that’s because the power of God we’re asking for is just that—it’s powerful.  We want to leave it in the hands of somebody who’ll use it wisely and well.  And that somebody is the Lord.

Of course, we don’t have to worry about not being in control; God’s power is in good hands.  If we just remember that little word, “if.”  If you wish, you can make us clean.  And, as we know, he does will it.  So let him take care of it, and we’ll be living a life of faith.