Word to the Wise
Friday, November 17, 2006 - St. Elizabeth of Hungary
[2 John 4-9 and Luke 17:26-37]"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be takien, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left." They said to him in reply, "Where Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather."
Law school (and other) professors are fond of telling students on the first day of class, "Look to your left, then look to your right. At least one of you will not be here after the first semester." That's supposed to instill motivation in the student, even if it may be a realistic prediction! Jesus makes a similar statement when he tells his listeners that the fact that they may be connected to one another in some relationship does not guarantee that a particular person will be ready of the day of judgment! HIs images of two people in one bed (I'm not sure of this one!) and two people grinding grain together make the point physically. The second image also captures the attention. "Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather." That's a proverb which means something can happen anywhere anytime the conditions are right! Again, blunt country imagery makes the point come home. The last weeks of the liturgical year are confronting us with last things and images that are vivid! The message is that we must give of our lives if we expect to live with the Lord. Being alive by giving life is better than attracting vultures! AMEN
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