Reflection on the Gospel for September 23, 2019

This is today’s Gospel (Luke 8:16-18):

Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

All seems well and self-explanatory til those last confusing lines.

Here’s my thoughts: everything that we have has been given us by God - wealth, good looks, intelligence, healthy relationships, a good job, a place to live, a nice view, a comfortable chair. God gives, we receive.

However! We play a role in the relationship: in order for it to be a gift, we must knowingly accept what God gives us.

I have written about acedia before, which is, in short, the rejection of God’s goodness in our lives. I turn again to that theme now.

Looking at Jesus’s words again, he makes it clear that those who have much will receive more. I interpret that now as: those who have been open to what I have given them, will receive more. I will trust them with my gifts, because they choose to listen and love me, rather than turn away.

Maybe, too, showing gratitude and acknowledgement means that every little thing becomes a gift - the way the sunlight looks coming through the blinds in the morning, the perfect timing of the bus ride home, the blessing of a much-needed item on sale. No wonder those who have much receive more - they are simply able to recognize it.

Otherwise, by our life and action - the smallness of our own outlook - we turn away from God. Of course it seems we have little; we are unable to accept what God wants for us, and asks for us, by living in a way that is closed off from others, stingy and scared. We live in acedia.

I do not, by the way, equate receiving “gifts” to any kind of harmful prosperity gospel. We know God’s real gifts are not earth-bound; they are metaphysical and spiritual gifts that help us help others. They are gifts like wisdom and teaching, not a jetski and a buffet.

God never tires of giving. I think it is more often we frustrate His gifts with our own uncertainty of His love.

Here’s one more thought on acedia from the archives. “They multiply their sorrows/who court other Gods.” (Psalm 16:4).

"Let no one have contempt for your youth..."

Leaving this here: the first reading from today, 1 Timothy 4:12-16.

“Beloved:
Let no one have contempt for your youth,
but set an example for those who believe,
in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.
Do not neglect the gift you have,
which was conferred on you through the prophetic word
with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate.
Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them,
so that your progress may be evident to everyone.
Attend to yourself and to your teaching;
persevere in both tasks,
for by doing so you will save
both yourself and those who listen to you.”

St. Paul goes right into my heart. Remember these words next time you feel young, or unsure of where to begin.

Do I pray enough?

First, I am very pleased to share that I resumed active work with the Legion of Mary, that incredible lay apostolate that was so critical in the early days (years) of my return to the faith. Excuse me for being biased, but I cannot imagine a more perfect way to live as a Catholic; it covers all the things you need to fully live as one. And not just as an intellectual one. Intellectual Catholics are truly boring - what is knowledge without action? I want to see faithful Catholics in their neighborhood, the jail, the nursing home, the meeting room, praying together, talking, serving, seeing Jesus in others, being alive in the faith. Frank Duff figured it out. He was open to the Holy Spirit, and so single-mindedly devoted to work as Mary’s faithful son, carrying out her works in the world, and this all came not from him, but from her.

Prayer is an important part of the Legion. Whether in the jail, the nursing home or the weekly meeting, you will pray, and usually for others’ intentions. I used to think this was so weird - “Do you have any intentions I can pray for you?” you ask the frail old man in the wheel chair. I thought, “Prayer is not enough! This person needs medicine, and attention, and love, and nicer smelling room, and…” However, you realize how much prayer means to others who have little. A prayer is small, but it is so much. It is heard by God, and that is enough, and through your prayer you bring Jesus to others - you act in his person for them.

I fall into the trap of wondering whether I pray enough. Rather, should we not be asking ourselves, do I pray well? Followed by, no matter the outcome, am I receptive enough to God’s will and the movement of the Holy Spirit?

It is silly to believe that the only sort of prayer that reaches God is high, chanted, long prayer accompanied by music and incense inside a cathedral. It is beautiful, but it is not the only way to pray. Do you think God looks at the cathedral prayer and compares it to the little whisper of a broken-hearted, lonely widow and says, “The first one was louder and more beautiful and therefore it is more valuable.” Or even that the first sort is more easily received by God? Of course not. “The Lord is close to the brokenthearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.” (Psalm 34:19)

Simple prayers:

Jesus, see me.

Jesus, hear me.

Jesus, love me.

Jesus, help me know I am loved.

Those prayers sum up the whole of human existence. Everything else we pray is some other form of “Jesus, love me.” (Jesus, help me with the job, the children, the spouse, help me find people who accept me, help me make something worthwhile in this world, let me know my life has value and that I am lovable).

To pray at all is to pray well, I think, if it comes from the heart. God already understands your language - you do not need to make it florid. Just speak with him, slowly opening the door to your heart so that he may fully enter.