Saturday, April 29, 2023

 

Saturday, April 29, 2023


Psalm 145

Exodus 23:20-33

John 10:31-42


Observance: Catherine of Siena, spiritual teacher (d. 1380)


One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.


There is a certain Swiss watch-making house – one of the best – whose marketing team deserve special mention for coming up with the genius line: “You never really own a Patek Phillipe. You simply look after it for the next generation.” As a new father, I must admit that sometimes I look around and wonder if any of my current belongings are heirloom-worthy.


But then I come across a sentiment like this one today, which appears frequently enough in the Old Testament, and I am reminded of where my true riches lie.


Jewellery gets lost, musical instruments get dented, book spines deteriorate; but the word of the Lord endures forever. The inheritance of our salvation, which is contained in the mighty acts of God, is a treasure not only for ourselves, but for all who come after us as well.


When we are thinking of what will be of most benefit to those who will follow us, what else has universal application? What other than the word of the Lord will have the solution for future issues like artificial intelligence, or changes in global politics? Where else will they find help when they need to start their own family, or discern their vocation, get dumped by their sweetheart, or fall into the existential crisis?


Wherever future history steers, God will be with His people, and they shall navigate it joyfully, lauding His works to another, declaring His mighty acts.

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