Numero Uno

Deacon Tom writes

“Numero Uno”

Twenty-fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

One of telltale signs that we struggle to embrace Jesus’ message “to become the least” is the fact that we do all that we can to be the first… to be the best… the greatest, the center of attention. We want to be in the limelight; we want the bigger piece of the pie. Yet, today, Jesus’ instructions are clear:  the only way we get to the head of the line is by seeking to be the last one in it! “If anyone wishes to be first”, he says, “he shall be the last of all and the servant of all”.   That’s how things operate in the Kingdom of God. It was the behavior of his closest disciples that prompted Jesus to pass this teaching on to us. In today’s gospel we hear that an argument broke out among his disciples as to who was “Numero Uno”. This happened right after Jesus revealed what’s going to happen to him when they get to Jerusalem.  “He will be handed over to men and they will kill him…but in three days he will rise”.  How callous of his followers to be so dismissive of Jesus’ horrific prophesy! Imagine how anguished we would be if, while we were bearing our souls to a close friend, they were disengaged and self-absorbed. There is just no imaginable way to describe how hurt and distraught we would feel‼! 

Jesus made many references to the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven was ordered a bit differently than our experience here in this temporal realm. In God’s kingdom ….the first shall be last, the hungry will be satisfied, the broken, crushed, dispossessed and sorrowing will be comforted. And forever, the peacemakers will be held in high esteem….!

Those are some powerful promises, and yet, given the state of the world, some of our inner city neighborhoods, and even our family, one can’t help wonder if we are doing all that we can to ease the plight of the poor, the neglected, those who are suffering through this life?  Why aren’t we looking to “store up treasures in heaven” (Mt 6:20) by helping the worst of the worst?  Are we confused about the significance of Jesus’ teachings?  Matthew, Chapter 25 makes it pretty clear… “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me?”…Or, are we, like the disciples in today’s gospel more distracted with our own concerns and interests than the suffering and hopelessness of many of those around us? 

It is very difficult to die to self, to take up the crosses of our lives and unite them with that of Christ. That is why we need to learn from the Master, to follow in his footsteps, and practice every day to love and serve each other, as Christ has loved us, even unto death. That is one way to show others that Christ truly is “Numero Uno” in our lives.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

Image from – lailas blog.com

Come Away and Rest

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Deacon Tom writes ©

“Come Away… and Rest”

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Who doesn’t like to get away once in a while and trade in the ordinary and routine for the new and exciting? I find myself looking forward to “vacation time” even though I am retired! And then, when I finally do get away, I jam pack the day with things to do, places to go, people to see. In a couple of days I feel exhausted and wonder why I didn’t leave some down time to just sit back and relax, to rest in the moment, and reflect on what I am experiencing, to find God in the events and the people around me.     

I don’t think this is my own unique experience, and judging from today’s gospel reading, I get the sense that this is an ancient problem.  Jesus recognized that he and his Apostles needed to get away from it all and just “rest for a while”. Jesus recognized his own need to break away from the hectic and demanding nature of his work and take a breather. His need for solitude show’s his total and complete humanity and is a reminder for us that we need to break away on occasion and find a “deserted place” where we can “rest a while”.

Our spiritual lives require a balance between “being” and “doing”. We engage in ministry, in helping “transform the world” as we are called to do as followers of Christ. But, what transformation can we ever hope to bring about if we don’t stop from time to time and tap into the power source who fuels us?  Seeking out quiet and solitude are essential requisites for spiritual growth. It is only logical that we can’t give what we haven’t got. If we don’t stop and quiet our own restlessness, how can we ever bring peace to those we love?  If we don’t develop an inner stillness, how can we ever bring a spirit of tranquility to our workplaces, or show some gentleness to calm those filled with tensions and aggravations that we encounter all day long?  If there is to be any peace in our homes, in our schools and communities, in our world, it has to begin with us.

As we take in the beauty and warmth of these sun-filled summer days, perhaps we can arrange to break away for just a few precious moments to our own little “deserted” place, “and rest”, so that we might experience the wonders God has in store for us.  Then, we too may be able to join our voices with those of the psalmist and say, “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want”.  

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom