Measure for measure

The invitation from God to live in relationship with those around us according to the Way which He models for us in our relationship with Jesus is always open for our acceptance. The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary point to our awareness that we fall short of the model by our own decisions to be live disregarding the rod and staff of the Shepherd. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the penitential prayer from the Book of Daniel. The exile of the Hebrew people to foreign lands is the consequence of their decision not to hear the prophets and follow the Commandments of God. Patricia Soto of Creighton University is motivated by the text from the Gospel of Luke to seek Christ in the persons who we initially avoid because we are aware that in that relationship we will be called to exercise lack of judgment, patience, mercy and forgiveness. The gift which enables us to transcend our human limitations is recognized by Don Schwager as the Holy Spirit of God. Friar Jude reminds us that all the gifts of God are not our private possession. We are called to use them for others. The measure of our generosity is His Life, total giving