Word to the Wise
Friday, February 8, 2019 - Friday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 13:1-8 and Mark 6:14-29]Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. [Hebrews]
The Letter to the Hebrews is coming to a close. Today's passage begins with a basic catechism of Christian morality: hospitality, care for the poor and imprisoned, fidelity in marriage, and freedom from obsession with money and material wealth. The last lines, however, struck a special chord with me. I am currently making a retreat and I am very aware at my age [76] of those who have had s significant impact on my faith and life. Certainly my parents, my friends and those who formed me in Dominican life deserve pride of place.
It might be a very good spiritual exercise to think about the people who have impacted our faith. Yesterday the Dominican Order celebrated what we call the anniversary of the deaths of our parents. We have two other "anniversaries" - for friends and benefactors and for deceased members of the Order. These people are certainly central to our way of life. Whom do you remember with gratitude? AMEN