Deacon Tom Writes
How Pitiable Can We Be?
Jeremiah
is teaching a class on simple holiness. He gives the people some vivid images
contrasting two opposing ways of life- the holy and the wretched. “Cursed is the one who trusts in human
beings… (whose) heart turns away from the Lord.” Not a good thing, Jeremiah
says, for such a person is “like a barren
bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season”.
On
the other hand, the blessed person “is
like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the
stream…its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but
still bears fruit”.
Jesus
also uses contrasts to teach about holiness and blessedness in today’s readings
from St. Luke’s account of the Beatitudes. We learn that blessedness is a state
of being; it is an attitude with which we go through life. Being blessed is our
state of mind when we realize that we can never be satisfied with the things of
this world. Being blessed is not about what we have or don’t have, it is about
knowing what constitutes the important things in life and choosing them: good
relationships, simple living, humility, a prayerful spirit.
Our
readings today cause us to stop and evaluate our lives by looking to see how we
are living them. Are our lives healthy and vibrant because we are rooted in
virtuous living? Or are we going through a desert experience and withering away?
The difference, I suspect, is what emphasis we place on God in our lives. The
more God-centered our life, the more blessed we will be, in our hunger for the
things that matter, in our finding sorrow in our times of sorrow, in our persevering
through or daily trials and struggles.
Today’s
readings would have us consider the quality of our spiritual lives. Are our
lives flourishing like a tree planted by a stream or are we dying of thirst as
we go through a desert experience. In either event, it may be a good time to
consider the words of St. Paul today who reminds us that our faith is rooted in
Christ…and if Christ has not been raised,
our faith is in vain; we are still in our sins…. And if for this life only we
have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.
May these
words from holy scripture provide us all with many opportunities to experience
the rich and abundant love of God, especially in the lives of those closest to
us.
Enjoy
the day!
Deacon Tom
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