Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time_B -Called To Be Worthy_072521

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Called To Be Worthy”

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

When the phone rings in the “bull-pen”, the relief pitcher knows exactly what he has to do. He has to go out to the mound, pitch like there’s no tomorrow. His career depends upon getting and the batter out. That’s not easy to do; to be warming up one moment and being on the mound the next, putting everything... your heart, your strength, your passion  into every pitch. It's an essential part of being a major league relief pitcher. Today St. Paul reminds Christians of their primary responsibility to put ourselves entirely into the game of life...extolling Christ's disciples to, “…live in a manner worthy of the call we have received…” which he then expresses as living lives in a spirit of “…humility and gentleness and patience”. In our efforts to follow Christ’s teachings we must make a serious effort to, “bear with one another though love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit". Unlike relief pitchers though, conscientious disciples are always on the mound. We are always in the game of life and in every experience we must perform as best we can... in our thoughts, words and deeds. We who claim to be Christian must strive to live each day mindful of the calling we have received. It is no wonder St. Paul compares himself to the good athlete who has, “competed well, finished the race; kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7-8.

It’s so easy to say, “I’m not worthy” of this call (and that’s so very true). None of us are worthy! We know that we are damaged goods. We are fragile, broken, sinful people who often lack humility, gentleness, compassion, and patience. No argument there, right? What makes us worthy is the One who makes the call. Like the manager who picks up the phone and dials the “bull-pen”, Jesus has deemed us “worthy” to share in his love and mission for our world with us. 

A good relief picture doesn’t get to the Major League without a lot of practice. It is the same for being a Christian. We live in a world shatter and divided along so many lines while St. Paul reminds us today the truth that we are of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all".  Like dedicated athletes Christians today need to be faithful witnesses to the teachings of Jesus; we need to practice humility; we need to practice gentleness and patience; we need to practice being generous, forgiving, and long-suffering and generosity. There are many virtues that we need to practice. And the more we practice, the better we become at deepening our relationship with Christ and with one another to form “the one body and one spirit”, that seeks to live lives “worthy of the call” we have received.  

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time_A - A Very Special Request_072620

Deacon Tom Writes,

“A Very Special Request”

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

There are times when we all struggle with making the right decision with some weighty problem we face. Many times we don’t like the options that we have either. But, at some point we have to decide and move forward, hoping that, with our planning and praying, things will work out for the best.

Solomon is a good example for us to consider when we face difficult decisions or are dealing with some of the more complex problems in life. I suspect that Solomon was a bit anxious about following in his father’s footsteps as King of Israel. I’m sure that he gave much thought to how he would fit into his big shoes and worried about the type of king he would be both consciously...and subconsciously.

It seems that Solomon really wanted to be a good king. He wanted to be a leader who would place God’s people above his own narrow interest, just like his father, David, before him. It’s not surprising then that when given the chance, Solomon has a very special request for the Lord. He asks for an understanding heart with which to govern God’s people.

Solomon’s desire to be a just and wise Sovereign is a reminder that when we make unselfish choices in life there is a ripple effect that touches the lives of so many others and in some way is pleasing to God. I believe that people are basically good , all of us, even if at times we fall far short of our “better selves”. We do bad things but that doesn’t make us bad people. We are all God’s children and he doesn’t abandon us when we turn inward and walk away from him… Thank God! We, his children, can be benevolent and kind; we can make choices beyond our own narrow self-interest; we can rise to serve the common good and strive to love one another in fulfillment of the Great Commandment. Solomon’s prayer reminds us to look to God for help in making the right choices in life and, if we do that, all that we do will be pleasing to him.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom