Last week we heard in the readings that although all are welcome, only those who choose the way of Christ will enter the narrow gate to heaven. This life we have is no rehearsal; it is in the now, in every moment of life that we are given the grace──and the opportunity─to let the Spirit work within us and choose for the Kingdom.
This theme continues in this Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time; all are invited to the Table of Plenty, we can accept His invitation or not as we choose. Jesus will also determine who will sit where at the table according to how we live the Gospel.
This week the readings speak of humility and humbleness, glorification and exaltation. Probably one of the most misunderstood virtues is that of humility. The word humility comes from the Latin humus, meaning earth. Humility then, is simple and honest, down-to-earth understanding and evaluation of what is around us, our place in the world, our gifts and talents─and, more importantly─our choices in our use of them, our service for the Kingdom.
The invitation to salvation comes to all, however, and regardless of anything we do, or are—how our accomplishments are not what will take us through the narrow gate. We are asked by Jesus to strive; and all are invited to God’s banquet in spite of our “undeserving nature.” Heaven is a gift, freely given us by God, thanks be to God’s great mercy and goodness! All we have and all we are, is given us by God. Seeking places of honor in the light of this, then, is absurd. This is the humility Jesus teaches today: the more “down to earth” you truly are, the greater your chance to sit at the heavenly table.
Jesus also tells us that a Godly invitation list to the banquet includes “the poor, the crippled, the lame.” We believers are asked to invite the hurt and the helpless, and to be as merciful and good toward others as is God in the uses and purpose of our time, talent and treasure. He invites all of us, and if you think about it, in spite of all of our gifts we are also the poor, the hurt, and the broken.
Each weekend we gather together to enjoy a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, to be healed and transformed by the Eucharist. We are given so much, how can we make a return to the Lord in love and service for all we have been given? Just look around; there is always a lot to do for the Kingdom here; and the answer may be right beside you, and right inside you.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
This theme continues in this Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time; all are invited to the Table of Plenty, we can accept His invitation or not as we choose. Jesus will also determine who will sit where at the table according to how we live the Gospel.
This week the readings speak of humility and humbleness, glorification and exaltation. Probably one of the most misunderstood virtues is that of humility. The word humility comes from the Latin humus, meaning earth. Humility then, is simple and honest, down-to-earth understanding and evaluation of what is around us, our place in the world, our gifts and talents─and, more importantly─our choices in our use of them, our service for the Kingdom.
The invitation to salvation comes to all, however, and regardless of anything we do, or are—how our accomplishments are not what will take us through the narrow gate. We are asked by Jesus to strive; and all are invited to God’s banquet in spite of our “undeserving nature.” Heaven is a gift, freely given us by God, thanks be to God’s great mercy and goodness! All we have and all we are, is given us by God. Seeking places of honor in the light of this, then, is absurd. This is the humility Jesus teaches today: the more “down to earth” you truly are, the greater your chance to sit at the heavenly table.
Jesus also tells us that a Godly invitation list to the banquet includes “the poor, the crippled, the lame.” We believers are asked to invite the hurt and the helpless, and to be as merciful and good toward others as is God in the uses and purpose of our time, talent and treasure. He invites all of us, and if you think about it, in spite of all of our gifts we are also the poor, the hurt, and the broken.
Each weekend we gather together to enjoy a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, to be healed and transformed by the Eucharist. We are given so much, how can we make a return to the Lord in love and service for all we have been given? Just look around; there is always a lot to do for the Kingdom here; and the answer may be right beside you, and right inside you.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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