Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time_A - Lead... Follow... or Get Out of the Way_082723

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Lead… Follow… or Get Out of the Way!”

 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

We lose track of the fact that God has a plan for us and that plan will not be compromised. In today’s first reading, Isaiah recounts what happened to Shebna, the Master of the Palace. He was “thrust… from his office” for disgracing his master’s house. Eliakim, a faithful steward, was given his authority and the privilege that went along with it. God alone is the source of “wisdom and knowledge” says St. Paul and everything is ordered according to His ways: “everything is from him and through him and for him.” Shebna apparently didn’t figure this out. By acting as if he was in control, he brought shame and disgrace upon him and his family.

It is noteworthy to reflect on how Christ approached this reality that everything is from, through and for God. If everything is, in fact, ordered in this way, then we can get a better understanding of why Jesus embraced the role of “servant.” He understood that his purpose was to serve God alone, for whom all things were made. What a profound love Jesus had for the Father, to offer his life completely to doing the Father’s Will and teaching us to do to do the same.

In our world where nearly everyone wants to be in charge, call the shots, be the big enchilada, what does scripture tell us? “Get out of the way!” We are in a constant struggle with our own flawed desires to be in control, to have things our way, to have others behave the way we want them to. Scripture gives us the “statutes” or better yet the “way” we must embrace in order to put our egos in check and learn the humble road of service to the people that Jesus would have us serve by loving, forgiving, being virtuous and genuine. We need to act as if Jesus were walking here among us today (which, by the way, he is). It is faithful, loving service on that order that changed the world for the better and made others remark, “See how they love one another.”

We live in a time when an epidemic of faithful service is needed to stem the horrific evil that is touching so many lives in our world. Now is the time for all who call themselves “Christian” to “lead…. follow…. or get out of the way.”

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacs engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or leaving 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.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time_C - On the Outside Looking In_082122

 

                                 Image Credit: Becky Johnson - - On the Outside Looking In - steel and glass

Deacon Tom Writes,

“On the Outside Looking In”

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Today we find the Lord busy gathering people from all the nations, bringing them from east and west, north and south to recline at his table. All are invited to the feast. All are welcomed to the celebration; no reservations are required! Jesus, however, indicates that we have to do a little more than show up ready to eat. We need to acknowledge the invitation we receive to participate in God’s kingdom by sending back the R.S.V.P. Yes, it seems that we have to act on our desire to participate in this wonderful banquet the Lord has prepared for us. And how, some may ask, are we to accomplish this? Simply by living good and wholesome lives, for when all is said and done, that is the way Jesus taught his disciples to follow, the same one he traveled. 

It is so easy to say to ourselves that God loves us “Unconditionally” and then go on living lives unworthy of that love. Today’s gospel gives us cause to rethink that behavior. Jesus makes it clear that following him is difficult, therefore, the reference to the “narrow gate.” Those who are not “strong enough” to walk the narrow path, that is, those who live morally shallow or self-absorbed lives, find themselves “on the outside looking in” when it’s time to enjoy this great celebration the Master has prepared. 

We all make choices to make in life, and all of those choices have consequences. We are so blessed to have the freedom to engage in virtually unlimited activity and to do pretty much as we please. With such great freedom, we run the risk of making the wrong choices and there can be dire consequences. Making bad choices that complicate our lives and create problems for ourselves and those we love is tragic enough. What about the choices we make that threaten our eternal life? The image Jesus presents today drives home that point effectively.

We don’t want to miss out on eternal life, as hard as that is for us to imagine living, as we do, in a physical, material world. But we do know that St. Paul tries to describe it for us when he says, “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him."     (1 Cor. 2:9)

If we could only live each moment of our lives as if the banquet of eternal life was to begin tonight, we would never have to worry about being on the outside looking in!

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

Visit my Blog at: www.deacontomwrites.blogspot.com

And tune into the www.deaconspod.com to hear a contemporary Catholic conversation exploring the treasures our faith has to offer.

 

 

Recommended Reading: The Challenge of Jesus by N.T. Wright who explores the Jesus of history in order to deepen our faith and spiritual experience.     

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Click Here       or

 Go to YouTube and search for: Contemplative Vision: Presentation Two, Richard Rohr,