Spirits which reveal our nature

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invoke the mystery of our nature as spiritual beings. The understanding which is associated with the gifts of the Spirit is a sense and awareness that our indwelling Spirit resonates with the Presence of the Divine Spirit which the psalmist proclaims is unchanging and faithful to His creatures. The spirits which inhibit and attempt to separate the indwaelling Spirit from the Divine are discerned by those in communion with the Divine. The Divine Spirit is the force which eliminates all evil spirits

Humility and Hospitality

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today brings two fundamental qualities of holy people to our attention. The Prophet Sirach advises that those who are friends of God are the humble who realize the place of humanity in relation to the Divine Luke recounts Jesus telling of the parable of those who seek the high places of honour only to be reminded that those places were not reserved for them. The battle for humility is perhaps one of the most difficult in our lives and in these times.

Talents for the unwise and humble

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to consider our gifts and both our unworthiness to be called to live them fully and the mission we have been given to celebrate and multiply those very talents. “Good and faithful servant” is the title which the landowner addresses those who enter into the joy of the master after multiplying the master’s wealth and being given even more of the master’s gifts. The servant who fails to spread the riches of the master is identified as being evil and slothful. In his homily today, Fr Roberto points out some items which a quick reading of the Gospel of Matthew may not appreciate. The “talent” was a very large amount of gold. The generosity of God (landowner) is immeasurable. The servants are filled with as much as they can hold. (Different amounts for different people). The good and faithful ones enter into the joy of relationship with the Divine. The ones who live in fear of God or of breaking the “rules” risk not finding that intimacy and joy. The parable has perhaps been cited to encourage entrepreneurial activity and risk taking. Perhaps we like to see reward proportional to effort here but the only risk or decision which is required is to be open to the gifts of the Father and the invitation to intimacy which is the way these gifts are multiplied. The text by Paul from the Letter to the Corinthians reminds us that the unwise and the insignificant have been chosen to be the bearers of the Light. Our humility is requested and required to fully use the gifts which bring intimacy with the Divine.

Oil for the lamp may not be used immediately

The texts from Scripture in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today continue a theme of preparedness. Paul proclaims a creed which is difficult for humans to comprehend “For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles”. The faith we are required to have is to trust the experience of the Divine Presence beyond the parts of our heritage which demands a sign and the part which is tied to strict logical reason. The “oil for our lamps” is the desire to be open to the movement and invitation of God to resonance of our being with the eternal infinite Divine Presence. The Church celebrates the memorial of St Monica today. Her son, Augustine, became a great theologian and Doctor of the Church. Monica pursued her son for decades to renounce his self absorbed existence and be baptized. The resonance of his indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of God brought oil to his lamp which, in God’s time became a lamp to guide many.

Boy Scout prepared for Divine Guide

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today evoke a memory of involvement with the Boy Scout organization. “Be prepared”, the Boy Scout motto has a peculiar place in the lives of believers. The contradiction that involves being prepared to act and move and address opportunities while at the same time understanding that God takes the initiative, is inherently faithful to loving all creatures and is the path for our fullness as creatures in intimate desire to follow the Divine Will is the mark of our lives as believers. The sense of the parable in Matthew’s Gospel is that our preparedness is to be open and aware of the opportunities in daily live to encounter the Divine and respond as the faithful sltve and the psalmist with praise for the goodness and righteousness of the Divine plan.

Life is breathed into dry bones

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today were set in the image of the graveyard below the Temple Mount in Jerusalem by Fr Rob in his homily. The Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy and bring life back to the dead bones of Israelites. The action of God to breathe Spirit into those separated from Him is the action to contemplate. Culturally the “Messiah” will bring life to the bones in the graveyard in Jerusalem when He comes (or returns). The life of those who have lived the Great Commandment cited by Jesus when questioned by the Pharisee lawyer continue to be celebrated by friends and family after death has had its word. Jesus and Ezekiel indicate that death does not have the last word.

Thankful to complete the dash day by day

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today inspired Fr Rob to reflect on the “dash” in his homily this morning. The “dash” can be found on older tombstones in the cemetery.” Born 1950-Died 2011” is the use of the “dash” which was his theme. We live the “dash”. Ezekiel reveals God’s plan for our direction during this short time over which we learn we do not have much control. The “plan” is written in our heart. For those times when we ditch the plan, the psalmist offers the most reconciliatory words in the Bible to bring us back. We are invited to the Great Feast described in the parable Jesus tells in Matthew’s gospel. No excuses! We cannot deserve the Feast. We can be thankful today that the indwelling Spirit resonates with the Divine Presence to move us all the “dash” intimate with Him!