Go For Broke

September 19: Friday of Week 23 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Psalm 17:1, 6-7, 8, 15; Luke 8:1-3

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship? (To support Reaching Jesus... Step Five).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Are you covering your bets? Betting on an afterlife, but making sure you get your money’s worth in this one all the same?

For Paul it was “all or nothing at all.” He would look aghast at the preachers of “feel good” religion. Not that religion doesn’t or shouldn’t make us feel good—but what does authentic religion give us to feel good about? Our response to God, or God’s response to us? Freedom from pain, or the promise of relief? A supportive relationship with others, or an experienced relationship with God that lets us give to others, demanding nothing in return?

This is painfully relevant to Catholics: If what we seek on Sunday is inspiring preaching and fellowship, it sometimes appears that “we are the most pitiable Christians of all!” But if we unite ourselves with Jesus on the cross, offering ourselves with and in him at Eucharist, we can receive the Bread of Life.

Ideally, our parishes should provide both. When they don’t, they make us face our priorities.

What we look for in liturgy shows us what we are looking for in life. We can “have our cake and eat it now” or we can participate in preview at the “wedding banquet of the Lamb.”

PRAY: “Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.”

PRACTICE: Put mystery first; then “meaningfulness.”