A Reflection for Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Find today’s readings here.
One of the greatest privileges in my life is being a godmother to the daughter of one of my oldest and closest friends. My goddaughter, Amanda, is sincere, hard-working, kind and generous. I adore her, and being part of her life has been a gift.
Amanda is about to be 21 and over the past two decades, we’ve accumulated a trove of wonderful memories together. One that stands out in particular for me was the day of her baptism when she was a baby. I recall holding her in my arms and praying for her and for me. For her, I prayed in thanksgiving for her life, for her safekeeping always, and that she would feel God’s abiding goodness and fidelity, especially in dark moments. For me, I prayed for the ability and willingness to honor the promises I was making to her (and to her parents) to be present in her life and to keep her connected to the God who loves us all.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reiterates God’s charge that we “Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.” This has me thinking about my role as a godmother and the significance of the promises we make to each other and to God.
To be honest, Amanda’s sunny and open-hearted nature makes being present in her life a joy, so honoring that part of my promise has not been difficult. But I do wonder if I have always prioritized my pledge to help her see Christ in her life and live by his example. Have I modeled loyalty, fidelity, kindness and love with every opportunity? Have I shared Jesus’ words and stories to help Amanda find clarity within her own life? Maybe sometimes—but there is surely more I could have done.
So I am grateful for the reminder that comes from today’s Gospel—that the vows we make in faith are promises to which we will be held accountable. Our pledges are more than words, they are commitments to be manifest in our actions and our thoughts. Because, as Jesus tells us, the Lord expects that of us. May we all rise to the challenge.
