"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." Mt 10:9
Attitude is everything and nothing gets in the way of having an authentic Christian attitude more than a sense of entitlement. When we begin to think that we have earned everything we have, even if we have worked hard all our lives, we forget how blessed we have been.
I grew up in a Catholic neighborhood. People shared freely the little they had. Our parents did everything they could to send us to Catholic schools and colleges where we would have an opportunity for a better life. They did not expect much from us in return. They were happy to give us everything they had, but they did demand that we work hard, be grateful, and never take for granted what came to us because of the generosity of others.
This is especially true of faith. Our attitude about faith, about what we can contribute to the building up of the body of Christ, about others who think differently than us must be one of gratitude. In fact, our faith reminds us continually that all is gift. Life is gift, creation is gift, friendship is gift, prayer is gift, and all are gifts to be given away. When Jesus sends the disciples out to proclaim good news he is clear: "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."(Mt 10:8)
Today, check your attitude and be grateful for your faith.
How do you avoid a sense of entitlement?
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
St Benedict, Abbot
"Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD." Hos 10:12
One of the tasks of the great Rabbis was to reduce the entire Law and Prophets to as few words as possible while still retaining the fullness of truth they embody. This same lens is used by the founders of the great religious movements of the Christian West.
In order, as Hosea says, to break up a new field, St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism, first fled the insanity of his times to live for three years in the desert. Renewed by the quiet and starkness of the wild, he gathered like minded men to lead a communal life rooted in ora et labora, prayer and work. Whatever other iterations might develop to foster gospel living, these two pillars must endure, and when they do, monastic life flourishes.
Today, pray to take hold again of the building blocks of Christianity: Love God and neighbor.
What are the most important signs of the times to which we must respond in our day for the Gospel to be heard?
One of the tasks of the great Rabbis was to reduce the entire Law and Prophets to as few words as possible while still retaining the fullness of truth they embody. This same lens is used by the founders of the great religious movements of the Christian West.
In order, as Hosea says, to break up a new field, St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism, first fled the insanity of his times to live for three years in the desert. Renewed by the quiet and starkness of the wild, he gathered like minded men to lead a communal life rooted in ora et labora, prayer and work. Whatever other iterations might develop to foster gospel living, these two pillars must endure, and when they do, monastic life flourishes.
Today, pray to take hold again of the building blocks of Christianity: Love God and neighbor.
What are the most important signs of the times to which we must respond in our day for the Gospel to be heard?
Monday, July 9, 2018
An Abundant Harvest
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Mt 9:38
What owner of a farm would not want to gather up a rich harvest? Having spent hundreds of hours, preparing, sowing, weeding and watering, the harvest is a time for farmers to collect the "wages" of their work. Moreover, because in most cases there are only a few days to accomplish this, farmers rush to gather up what they have sown as soon as the crop is ready.
Nevertheless, some of us are so busy with other matters that we lose sight of our priorities, and fail to respond to fields overflowing with produce. When we do this, our delay can cost us everything. Paying attention to all that God is doing among us is essential for believers. We cannot afford to dwell too long on our diminishment and losses. Though we may have failed to respond fully in the past to Jesus' call to discipleship, the call is repeated today for everyone who has ears to hear and eyes to see.
Today, invite someone to help you spread the Good News.
Who is the most convincing "harvester" you know?
What owner of a farm would not want to gather up a rich harvest? Having spent hundreds of hours, preparing, sowing, weeding and watering, the harvest is a time for farmers to collect the "wages" of their work. Moreover, because in most cases there are only a few days to accomplish this, farmers rush to gather up what they have sown as soon as the crop is ready.
Nevertheless, some of us are so busy with other matters that we lose sight of our priorities, and fail to respond to fields overflowing with produce. When we do this, our delay can cost us everything. Paying attention to all that God is doing among us is essential for believers. We cannot afford to dwell too long on our diminishment and losses. Though we may have failed to respond fully in the past to Jesus' call to discipleship, the call is repeated today for everyone who has ears to hear and eyes to see.
Today, invite someone to help you spread the Good News.
Who is the most convincing "harvester" you know?
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Embracing the Stranger
'A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak." Mt 9:19
Reading today's Gospel about a woman bleeding for years, I cringed. Most of Jesus contemporaries would have avoided this woman at all costs, more concerned with their own cleanliness than with the woman's struggles to live a faith filled life.
In the United States these days there are a host of communal fears. Immigrants seem to threaten us, and this fear is sometimes fanned by political rhetoric rooted in ignorance and anxiety about the countries and cultures from which these people come. Because they speak a different language, wear different clothes, eat different foods and practice a different religion, we wonder whether we should admit them to our shores and sometimes even suggest they are criminals out to take advantage of our generosity. But Jesus' response to people's criticism and fear is plain.
"Do not be afraid," he cautions them. Get to know those who differ from you. When trust grows, he assures his listeners, they can build the kingdom of God together.
Today, stretch beyond your comfort zone and meet someone from a different culture or country.
Reading today's Gospel about a woman bleeding for years, I cringed. Most of Jesus contemporaries would have avoided this woman at all costs, more concerned with their own cleanliness than with the woman's struggles to live a faith filled life.
In the United States these days there are a host of communal fears. Immigrants seem to threaten us, and this fear is sometimes fanned by political rhetoric rooted in ignorance and anxiety about the countries and cultures from which these people come. Because they speak a different language, wear different clothes, eat different foods and practice a different religion, we wonder whether we should admit them to our shores and sometimes even suggest they are criminals out to take advantage of our generosity. But Jesus' response to people's criticism and fear is plain.
"Do not be afraid," he cautions them. Get to know those who differ from you. When trust grows, he assures his listeners, they can build the kingdom of God together.
Today, stretch beyond your comfort zone and meet someone from a different culture or country.
Have your cultural or racial fears gotten in the way of your freedom?
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