He Will Put a New Song in Your Mouth

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s Readings: [Click here]

It was a Sunday morning in South America, in a little chapel on the border of Venezuela and Colombia. As mass was beginning, something not too unusual took place: a band of guerillas armed with machine guns burst out of the jungle, and crashed and banged their way into the church. The priest and the congregation were horrified and scared to death. The men dragged the priest outside to be executed. Then the leader of the guerillas came back inside and demanded, “Anyone else who believes in this God stuff, come forward!” Everyone was petrified. They stood frozen. There was a long silence.

Finally, one man slowly stood up and approached the guerilla chief. He said simply, “I love Jesus.” The guerilla grabbed him by the collar and roughly tossed him to the soldiers, so he also could be taken out to be executed. Several other Christians came forward saying the same thing. They, too, were shoved outside. Then the sound of machine gun fire was heard.

When there were no more people left who were willing to identify themselves as Christians, the guerilla chief returned inside and commanded the remaining congregation to get out. He boomed at them, “You have no right to be here!” And with that, he herded them out of the chapel, where they were astonished to see their pastor and all the others standing there—very much alive and well.

The priest and those people were ordered back into the church to continue mass, while the others were angrily warned to stay out—“until,” said the guerilla leader, “you have the courage to stand up for your beliefs!” And with that, the guerillas disappeared back into the jungle.

Not many of us are tested so dramatically or frighteningly to put our faith, or lack of faith, on the line. In a way, that’s almost too bad, because we may be deluding ourselves into thinking that we’re stronger or more fervent Christians than we really are.

We don’t need a guerilla or terrorist to shove a machine gun in our back to test our faith commitment. Actually, we can see it in action in the simpler things in life. Take waiting, for example. Aren’t most of us waiting for something?

Maybe money is tight. You buy Lotto tickets every week and are waiting for your numbers to hit… or you’re waiting for your house to sell… or the stock market to go back up… or you’re waiting to graduate from school so you can support yourself and be out on your own… or you’re waiting for the boss to recognize your good work and give you a raise.

Or maybe your focus is more emotional. You’re waiting for the love of your life to finally drop into your world—like a scene straight out of a romantic movie! Or you’re waiting for an estranged friend or family member to meet you halfway and patch up your relationship… or waiting for a spouse or significant other to stop cheating on you… or waiting for other kids to stop bullying you.

Or perhaps your wait is for something entirely different: you’re waiting for a miracle of healing… waiting for a flash of insight to solve a difficult problem… waiting for a special career break…

Waiting… waiting… waiting.

As we take up this new phase of the liturgical year, Ordinary Time, I ask you this: how does the Lord God figure in your waiting?

In John’s gospel today, John the Baptist has been given an amazing message and prophecy: he’s not sure why, but he’s told that he’s supposed to baptize with water. And then, when he sees the Spirit of God come down on someone and remain there, John will know that this is the Christ who will be revealed and who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

So with watchful expectation, John waited. Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year… he waited. He watched for the sign.

When the Lord is a vital part of the equation, waiting is not ominous. It’s not scary. We’re not paralyzed with uncertainty or worried so much that our blood pressure jumps by 20 points.

Instead, listen to the magnificent words of Psalm 40. Today’s responsorial psalm had an excerpt, but here are the first three verses in full:

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

My friends, whatever is going on in your life, bring it before God in prayer. Yes, pray every day. Let the Lord into your innermost life. Bring your needs and desires, the things you’re hoping for and waiting for, to Jesus Christ. Let him put a new song in your mouth, lighten your load, strengthen your back, and amplify your faith.

Some of the people in the little South American chapel were caught off guard when the guerillas attacked them out of the blue. But we mustn’t be unprepared… and really, it’s so simple not to be. Nothing God asks of us is ever very hard, because he helps us every step of the way. So how should you pray? Just talk to him. He’s listening.

Talk to God. Tell him your dreams, your needs, your worries. Then be prepared to find that new song in your mouth—a hymn of praise to our God.