"You who seek God, may your hearts revive!"
Psalm 69:33
J.R.R. Tolkien described the life and work of his elves in Middle Earth as fighting "the long defeat." The elves, who lived forever on earth, believed that death was God's gift to humans: they were given one brief life, one small mission, but then gifted a permanent rest from this world in the light and peace of heaven. It was the elves who were left behind to fight the long defeat.
In today's readings, the psalmist has been overwhelmed and his enemies have caught up with him. He is confronted with death, the ultimate enemy. But the psalmist then gives us the key to completing his, and our, mission: "You who seek God, may your hearts revive!" Our life is meant to be lived for God from start to finish, to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. That's what a prophet does: seek, live, and speak God's Word rather than their own. And living life for God sets us free from sin, empowering us to live in confidence and trust in the One who will save us from even death itself. In wholeheartedly seeking God, we are given new hope to fulfill our mission.
While we know that the world suffers the long defeat, no foe can truly conquer us because Christ has defeated sin and death. We leave the long defeat and the work of salvation history to the Lord and have only to seek God each day and to fulfill our own small mission in this world.
What is the mission I have been given, and where does my hope come from?
Jesus, I desire to live for You, yet I am often overwhelmed by distractions, foes, and the abyss; console me today with Your grace and revive my heart, that I may more fully live for You.
Today's reflection was written by...
Mike Buckler
Did you know...
Mike Buckler has a passion for Jesus, basketball, and fair trade coffee. He has been a youth ministry leader for twenty years, with thirteen of those as a full-time youth minister in a parish. Mike now serves in the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. He and his wife Megan live in Wesley Chapel with their four children.
