Evening Thoughts: After
encountering today’s Gospel this morning it has been on my mind as I have
journeyed through the day doing a little fall cleaning. I can’t help but hear
Jesus’ words in all the articles, headlines and reflections on the Synod of the
Family that began in Rome on October 5, 2014 that I have read the past few days.
Just by reading the headlines you could surmise
that the Church is being ripped a part by confusion and unthinkable divisions –
bishop against bishop, cardinal against cardinal, cardinal against pope,
conservative against liberal (well this one is quiet thinkable), but hopefully
you get my point. In all the chatter especially from within the Church about
the good and bad of the synod you would think the “End Time” is just around the
corner.
Yet, my response to all of this chatter,
media and hysteria is – in the immortal words of Aaron Charles Rodgers,
quarterback of the Green Bay Packers – “Relax!”
Jesus tells us in the Gospel today (Luke
12:49-53) that there will be divisions, conflict and struggles because of his
presence, message, ministry and call. He tells us that he has come to set the
earth on fire and through the centuries that is exactly what has happened from
time to time. There is no reason to believe that it will stop anytime soon
unless God has other plans. As long as there are two people there will be
disagreements, struggles and challenges.
The Synod on the Family called for by
Pope Francis last October has only begun. Those gathered for the synod were
told by Pope Francis to speak frankly, honestly and truthfully and it seems
they did. They listened to one another. They gave their opinions and they tried
to formulate a document that would reflect their beginning, I repeat, their
beginning work!
And then like a football team who plays
a bad game everyone pounced on them, the international and national media,
cardinals, bishops, priests and laity alike. What are they saying? What aren’t
they saying? What do they really mean? Was the translation right? It all too
confusing! It’s a mess? This confusion is of the devil! They have challenged
doctrine! And so on and so on and so on!
Let me send this memo to the team, fans,
media, to all cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, whomever – “Relax!” The
synod has just begun its work, yes it is messy, yes there will be fights,
disagreements and divisions but let’s all have some faith in the Holy Spirit.
Let’s all have some faith in the process. Let’s all believe in the breadth and
length and height and depth of Christ love!
Have a restful evening everyone!
Evening Prayer: Grant us God,
to know what is worth knowing, to love what is worth loving, to praise what
delights you most, to value what is precious in your sight. Do not let us judge
by what we see, nor pass sentence according to what we hear, but judge rightly
between things that differ and above all to search out and to do what pleases
you. Amen (Adapted from a prayer by
Thomas A Kempis)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “The most
important day in any running program is rest. Rest days give your muscles time
to recover so you can run again. Your muscles build in strength as you rest.” (Hal
Higdon)
So too in the spiritual life – rest is
necessary for the mind, soul and spirit!
Evening Blessing: Thursday
evening greetings to all! I am running a little slow with my reflections today
as I worked on a little cleaning project that I have wanted to do for some time
now. I hope all of you had a great day and at least are on your way home for a
peaceful and restful evening.
We had a rainy, dreary day here in Pelham
but as I said above all was not lost. Sometimes it take a miserable day to get
you motivated to do a little work! I hope your day was a little brighter and
your work successful!
My evening blessing is from our first
reading today, St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (3:14-21) – Friends, I kneel
before God this evening, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is
named, that God may grant all of you in the accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit in the inner self, and
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and
grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what
is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ
that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of
God! – And I also ask God to bless you with a restful and peaceful night! Peace
in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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