Our reading from Judges is obscure this morning, but as we
continue through this intriguing book it is important to remember the
repetitive cycles which Judges records.
Each
cycle begins with Israel being in a period of peace both with God and with the
neighboring nations. At some point
Israel then breaks the covenant with God, usually falling to idolatry. Israel then is defeated by an enemy—symbolic
of being defeated by sin. They
eventually plead for mercy and God grants them peace and victory once more
through raising up a judge to lead them.
The
cycle in Judges is one we experience in our own lives. There are times we live in harmony with
God and neighbor. Yet each of us
sins, bringing upon ourselves division with our relationship with God, family
and friends. Please, God, we
repent and convert once more and enter into a state of grace again. This is the story of our Christian
journey throughout our lives.
The
Gospel emphasizes that God is generous with His gifts. Many of us know family members,
friends, children and others who do not yet walk closely with God. We can take great hope that, even in
the last hours of the day, God is ready to bring people into His vineyard and
pay them a just wage. Our job is
to seek out the idle and invite them to come to God, joining us in the mystery
of sin and redemption along the way.
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