By your mercy, Lord, from the poison of complaints heal me...

Wisdom 21:4-9

Like the Israelites, when I spew complaints the poison of my words winds around me and bites me with mortal consequences.  Anything that compromises my mental, physical or social comfort can trigger an attitude of complaining that quickly roars to life in all kinds of ugly, overshadowing idols or ideas that breed stubbornness of heart and disconnection from the Lord of Life.  How am I to break through the wall of such dissatisfaction and despair? Like the serpent on the stick in the wilderness, Jesus was fixed to a cross and raised above the earth so that we who look upon him might see the ends of human comfort for what it really is. By his obedience to crucifixion, and rising again, Jesus broke through the chaos and ultimate death of human satisfaction and called humankind to an opening and self-giving of our lives to the mercy of God for all of eternity.  What complaints will try to wriggle into my words today?  By your mercy, Lord, from the poison of complaints heal me.    

Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.  (Psalm 7)
​
How can we complain when he himself was considered as ‘one struck by God and afflicted.’?
St. Therese of Lisieux
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.