When I was a child, I remember my parents saying to me that nothing worth having ever comes easy. To acquire something of great value one must work hard, sacrifice, and (usually) surrender something else of value. I think back on the years of my musical preparation: it was a financial cost to the family, I spent hours at the keyboard rather than playing with friends, and I didn’t have time to do other things I might have liked to do because of musical obligations. What did I gain by this commitment?
I used to think my life would be shaped by music and its business. But I find that music is only the vehicle in which I may serve God; His gifts given to me, and my hard work in developing and employing them for His Kingdom. Hopefully, I am earning my place at the table—not because of the music—but because my spiritual and Communal life are truly shaped by the Gospels. I find this harder sometimes than practicing music for several hours a day. I know that I am a practicing Christian, a practicing Catholic. Again: nothing worth having ever comes easy…
Today in the Gospel (for this Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time), we have come to the end of the “Bread of Life Discourse.” Many of Jesus’ disciples were deciding that what Jesus had told them is just too difficult to accept, and “as a result of this, many disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Jesus.” How disappointing to hear this typical human story of turning away and of giving up because it is difficult—if it were easy, though, everyone would do it…and all may have remained if they tried. (Something I tell my piano students in order to encourage them to continue practicing that if it were easy to play, everyone would be a pianist.)
Today Jesus reminds us that His words are spirit and life. We know that He is the key to salvation: He is the bread of life. He requires peace, mercy, justice and forgiveness in all our relationships. Not easy to do and to fulfill, but He is wisdom incarnate! May we all respond as Peter responds to Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life...you are the Holy One of God."
It seems to me that having this faith is worth all the hard work, the practice, the sacrifice and the surrender—but remember you will not do this all alone—you have the Holy Spirit within you, and you have the Word to guide you. When things become difficult because your faith challenges you to do the right thing—the hard thing, rather than take the easy way—just remember: Nothing worth having ever comes easy—just follow His Word and you will be fine.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Here are some ways and in circumstances in which to use the Word—to use the Bible:
I used to think my life would be shaped by music and its business. But I find that music is only the vehicle in which I may serve God; His gifts given to me, and my hard work in developing and employing them for His Kingdom. Hopefully, I am earning my place at the table—not because of the music—but because my spiritual and Communal life are truly shaped by the Gospels. I find this harder sometimes than practicing music for several hours a day. I know that I am a practicing Christian, a practicing Catholic. Again: nothing worth having ever comes easy…
Today in the Gospel (for this Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time), we have come to the end of the “Bread of Life Discourse.” Many of Jesus’ disciples were deciding that what Jesus had told them is just too difficult to accept, and “as a result of this, many disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Jesus.” How disappointing to hear this typical human story of turning away and of giving up because it is difficult—if it were easy, though, everyone would do it…and all may have remained if they tried. (Something I tell my piano students in order to encourage them to continue practicing that if it were easy to play, everyone would be a pianist.)
Today Jesus reminds us that His words are spirit and life. We know that He is the key to salvation: He is the bread of life. He requires peace, mercy, justice and forgiveness in all our relationships. Not easy to do and to fulfill, but He is wisdom incarnate! May we all respond as Peter responds to Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life...you are the Holy One of God."
It seems to me that having this faith is worth all the hard work, the practice, the sacrifice and the surrender—but remember you will not do this all alone—you have the Holy Spirit within you, and you have the Word to guide you. When things become difficult because your faith challenges you to do the right thing—the hard thing, rather than take the easy way—just remember: Nothing worth having ever comes easy—just follow His Word and you will be fine.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Here are some ways and in circumstances in which to use the Word—to use the Bible:
- When in sorrow: John 14
- When people fail you: Psalm 27
- When you have sinned: Psalm 51
- When you are worried: Matthew 6:19-34
- When in danger: Psalm 91
- When you are sad: Psalm 34
- When God seems far away: Psalm 139
- When you are discouraged: Isaiah 40
- When lonely or fearful: Psalm 23
- When you feel down and out: Romans 8:37-39
- When you seek courage for a task: Joshua 1
- When the world seems bigger than God: Psalm 90
- When you want rest and peace: Matthew 11:25-30
- When leaving home for travel or work: Psalm 121, 107::23-31
- When bitter or critical: 1st Corinthians 13
- When considering investments and returns: Mark 10:17-31
- When receiving a great invitation or opportunity: Isaiah 55
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