FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION: TWENTY-SIXTH
WEEK OF THE YEAR
Most
of the bad things that happen on earth are the result of our failure to follow
the “manufacturer’s instructions.” We count on God to forgive and to empower
us, as his stewards, to change all
that diminishes the quality of life on earth.
Invitation:
Jesus
invites us to become more alive by becoming less complacent, more aware. God’s
disturbance holds the promise of peace. “Worry” doesn’t.
Our
faith: How many of these statements do you believe? And live?
If
we don’t see the reflection of our personal choices in all that is wrong in our
country, we are not connecting the dots. We are letting sin blind us.
If
we open our eyes and look at what God is, we will have the courage to look at
what the world (and our life in it) is becoming and draw hope to act against
it.
The
farther we are physically from the poor, the more we have to make sure we are
informed about their condition, so as not to answer as Cain did: “I do not
know.”
God
does not send suffering to punish sin; but most suffering is in some way
traceable to the free choices of countless individuals. To work for the reign
of God is to counteract bad choices by choices that repair.
We
can question, we can argue with God; but the bottom line is, God knows all and
compared to him we know nothing. So we can seek answers but not demand them.
Afflictions
force us to get down to what is real in our religion, and to make real for
ourselves what we have only heard and passively accepted.
Luke 9: 46-50: To do great
things for the kingdom, we need to do small things for the “little“ people:
children and those whom the world does
not consider important.
Luke 9: 51-56: The Samaritans’
cultural reaction was to reject Jesus the Jew instead of getting to know Jesus
the person. His disciples’ was to “call down fire from heaven.” With Jesus
power and force are out; vulnerability and mercy are in.
Luke 9: 57-62 makes us face
our priorities: how much am I willing to sacrifice to work against the abuses I
see in my family, social, professional, political milieu?
Luke 10: 1-12: The Good News
won’t be perceived as good by everyone. But regardless of acceptance or
opposition, the world is going to be transformed.
Luke 10: 13-16: We need to
listen to Jesus speaking in one another: in leaders as well as in authorities;
in all who by Baptism are stewards of his
kingship.
Luke 10: 17-24: Jesus sent out
lay disciples with the authority, not of official position, but of de facto leadership. “Clericalism” is
contrary to the Gospel.
Decisions:
Make contact with the poor in
some way. Trust God and keep working
for change.
Make faith your answer to appearances. In leadership seek union with God’s heart.
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