Daily
Thoughts: Our
Gospel today from Luke follows a section where Jesus speaks about how much more
importance each person is than the lilies of the field and birds of the air who
are beautiful and known by God. Today’s section opens with the affirming
embrace that we already belong to God’s flock and the treasure has already been
given to us, so we need not fear about our eternal futures. What we encounter
in the Gospel today has to do with the implications of our being so precious
and cared for by God. The kingdom is being given to those of us who have faith
in the Creator. If we trust, then our treasure does not rely on or support the
things of this world.
Jesus
puts forth the challenges of belonging to this other kingdom. Our preciousness
in God’s eyes is contrasted with the preciousness of material things. We get
our value from God and not the accumulation of things, of wealth. The desires
of our hearts will identify to which kingdom we belong. The challenge is how
patient and watchful in terms of God’s Kingdom are we?
Jesus is
God’s love in us. We are invited to make a similar investment in the holiness
of humankind and the love of God. As usual the parable today makes the tension
between God and the things of the world quite clear.
There is
a master who has gone away, promising to return, but the when is indefinite.
The servants who remain in the house are to act justly, live soberly, aware,
and above all are to expect the master’s return at any moment. This is a direct
challenge to the listening-disciples. The opening of this chapter in Luke
reminds the friends of Jesus to avoid “the yeast of the Pharisees”. The
disciples are the servants in whom Jesus has invested the treasures of his
teachings. Unlike the Pharisees they are to be faithful in tending to the
household and the people of the household. The emphasis of our Gospel is on
living the teachings of Jesus until he returns.
God has
created us, made us part of the human family. God has invested totally in our
human recovery through Jesus Christ. We are asked to believe in this and to
live reverently and gratefully for this infinite support of the human family.
The other
option is to live unjustly, drunkenly, and unaware of our dignity. To live in a
way that, we deflate our value and the value of all humankind. Yes, we are more
important than the “lilies of the field.” Jesus calls us his flock and stewards
of creation. When we hear who we are through the stories, pictures and deeds of
how God has invested in us, we are reminded to trust in God’s investment. Our
real problem or challenge is having the faith that there is a kingdom to come
in which we are to invest “now” and that the payoff is in the “then” to come.
In other words, there is the “here” and the “here-after” – where is our focus,
where is our heart!
Have a
great Sunday everyone.
Daily
Prayer:
Lord, you know what is best; let all be done as you please. Place me where you
will and deal with me freely in all things. I am in your hand; turn me about
whichever way you will. Behold, I am your servant, ready to obey in all things.
Not for myself do I desire to live, but for you. Amen. (Thomas À Kempis)
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“For every runner who tours the world running marathons, there are thousands
who run to hear the leaves and listen to the rain, and look to the day when it
is suddenly as easy as a bird in flight.” (George
Sheehan) So to in the spiritual life…
Daily
Blessing:
Sunday blessings and greetings to all. I hope your Sunday has started off well.
It is the beginning of another beautiful day here in Pelham though I believe it
is going to be on the hot and humid sit. Make sure you make a little time for
God today as you enjoy the gift of a summer Sunday!
I just returned
from dropping off my guests from Minnesota off at the airport and now I have to
put some final touches on my homily for the noon mass at St. John and St. Mary
Parish in Chappaqua. Hopefully I can get in a long run this afternoon though I
tried yesterday and it was just too hot and humid so my long run became a short
run. Perhaps today will be a little better.
My prayer
today is that God will blessed all of you with a beautiful day, one in which
you will celebrate the gift of life with family, friends and people who enjoy
life. May you be blessed with a day that is fun and filled with moments and
people of joy and hope. May you be blessed with a day of rest and enjoyment.
Please know as always, you are in my prayers. Be safe if you are out and about.
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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