Word to the Wise
Saturday, September 16, 2017 - Saturday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Tim 1:15-17 and Luke 6:43-49]"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed." [Luke]
SEPTEMBER 16 STS. CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN, martyrs
The image of a house being swept away by a flood is certainly fresh for us in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Florida. The media images of whole homes being swept away are hard to watch. Jesus challenges the disciples to have a secure foundation for their faith so that they can act on that faith with confidence. That foundation comes from listening to his words. Later on in the Gospel According to Luke we will have an example of this in the story of Martha and Mary [Lk 10:38-42].
For most Catholics the principal opportunity to hear the words of Jesus is at Sunday Mass. This makes it all the more imperative that lectors and clergy be well trained in public reading and preaching. But there are other ways to hear the words of Jesus. Our Protestant brothers and sisters are well familiar with simply reading the scriptures and internalizing those words so that they become part and parcel of one's faith. The practice of Lectio Divina has been actively promoted by Popes Benedict XVI and Francis. This meditative form of reading scripture can contribute considerably to the foundation of faith. The Second Vatican Council teaches us that Christ is truly present in his Word.
Foundations are not always glamorous. But one does not build a house from the roof down but from the foundation up. Are we ready to confront the floods and hurricanes? AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
107 ms
4
