Deacon Tom Writes,
“Loyalty Check”
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
“If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve.”
(Jos 24:15). Joshua poses this demanding question to all the Israelites gathered at Shechem many years after they had entered the Promised Land. The people responded, “We will serve the Lord, our God, and will listen to his voice.” (Jos 24:24) Today as we listen to this scripture passage, we are asked the same question, "Who do we serve?” It is an essential question of our faith.
No generation has had an easy time answering this question. Life has always been hard. Remaining faithful to God in the midst of all that life presents challenges all of us and eludes even those who strive to do so. Who is God? What is my relationship with God? What is my purpose in life? What does the Almighty ask of me so that I can answer this question honestly and with resolve? These thoughtful questions are ones people have been asking throughout the ages; questions, perhaps, we have been asking ourselves too over the course of our spiritual journey.
I find it helpful to reflect on a passage from St. John’s gospel to get a better understanding on “how to” serve God in the way that God desires. It is the passage where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and when he has finished, he asked them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?” Not certain how they, the apostles, should respond, Jesus continues… “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do”. (John 13:15)
Jesus, ever the teacher, gives us throughout his ministry a very simple example of how we are to serve the Lord, Our God… by placing ourselves at the service of one another. That’s the true measure of our loyalty to God ways. St. Paul gives us some further guidance when he instructs the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”. (1COR 11:1) Imitation is a powerful human motivator. We grow up wanting to be like the athlete or musician we admire or even imitate the behavior of someone we have put on a pedestal. We even decorate our homes according to the latest episode of HGTV. Our physical lives are very much influenced by those around us. The point Paul makes is that there is a spiritual side of this reality also that is Christocentric.
This question about deciding whom we should serve is so very important today. Jesus asks that of his disciples today over the issues of his Body and Blood being “real food” ...”
Do you also want to leave?” There are many activities competing for our time, our attention, money, and loyalty. We seem to be on a merry-go-round that never ends... busy from morning to night...fully engaged in a world of technological advances that fill every waking hour of the day that leaves very little time for crucial activities such as spending quality family time together, engaging in meaningful reflection, finding time for solitude and reflection…and uncovering the deeper meaning of our lives as God intended. We have choices to make! Scripture asks us today to decide, “Whom we will serve”. May God’s grace direct our lives so that we may live them to the fullest under his watchful eye.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of joining our Catholic Community ofr walking away from it.
OTHER RESOURCE
Recommended Reading: Paul, A Biography by N.T. Wright. In this definitive biography, renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author N. T. Wright offers a radical look at the apostle Paul, illuminating the humanity and remarkable achievements of this intellectual who invented Christian theology—transforming a faith and changing the world.
Recommended YouTube Video: Lecture - N.T. Wright - How Paul Invented Christian Theology. N. T. Wright approaches the Apostle Paul as the world's first, and greatest, Christian theologian. Much of his lifetime study has had Paul, his life and writings, as the focus. He has offered detailed insights into Paul's life and times for over 30 years, beginning with his dissertation on Pauline Theology and Romans and continuing through his recently released, two-volume Paul and the Faithfulness of God. In between those writings, Wright has produced over 60 books, many of which have dealt with Paul, and another one is soon to be released, Paul and His Recent Interpreters.
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