Words of Wisdom and Truth
A Reflection for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Rev. Bob
Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints
Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans Divine Mercy
Independent
Catholic Church of the Americas
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Link to the
Independent Catholic Church of the Americas http://www.iccamericas.org/
The words from the first reading for the 31st
Sunday of Ordinary Time is from the Book of Wisdom 11:22-12:2 and worth more
than a billion words and sermons.
The reading most certainly should open our hearts and
minds to God’s infinite mercy and love for all His children regardless of their
race, nationality, gender, or religious denomination.
When we take into consideration the other readings for
this Sunday we have not only a message affirming God’s love and mercy for us
all but also advice on how we can and will be welcomed and found pleasing in
God’s eyes.
The reading from the book of Wisdom 11 verses 22
through Wisdom 12:verse 2 says; “Before
the Lord the whole universe is like a grain of dust that tips the scales,or
like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground. Yet you are merciful to all,
because you can do all things and overlook men’s sins so that they can repent. Yes,
you love all that exists; you hold nothing of what you have made in abhorrence,
for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it. And how, had you not willed it, could a
thing persist, how be conserved if not called forth by you? You spare all
things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life, you whose
imperishable spirit is in all. Little by
little, therefore, you correct those who offend, you admonish and remind them
of how they have sinned, so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you,
Lord.”
When coupled with, are taken into consideration from
St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians chapter 1:11-2:2 we become strengthened even
more in the knowledge of God’s love for us; “all
that you have been doing through faith the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ will
be glorified in you and you in him, by the grace of our God and the Lord
Jesus Christ. To turn now to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we
shall all be gathered round him: please do not get excited too soon or alarmed
by any prediction or rumor or any letter claiming to come from us, implying
that the Day of the Lord has already arrived.”
So many who claim to be preaching the word of God have
tried to frighten people with the admonition that dooms day is at hand, and
have done so from the earliest days of the church but Christ himself told us; “However, no one knows the day or hour when
these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. (Mark
13:32)
The message from Sunday’s Gospel is also comforting and
affirming in that it reminds us that Christ did not heed the admonishments of
the Religious of His time. It also makes clear that God and Christ are there
for everyone who believes in them and tries to live in a way that is pleasing
to God according to the teachings that Christ proclaimed.
Unfortunatly there are some who believe that they are the
“chosen ones” because of their position, their wealth or because or their devotional
practices and attendance at church but when they leave the confines of the
church, and sometimes even while there, they do not practice Christian Charity
and often demean others because of how they dress, or the color of their skin
or their nationality.
The Gosple tells us: “When
Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: “Zacchaeus come down.
Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.” And Zacchaeus hurried down and
welcomed Christ joyfully. Others complained when they saw what was happening. “He
has gone to stay at a sinner’s house” they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground
and said to the Lord, “Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the
poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the
amount”And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because
this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and
save what was lost” (Luke 19:1-10)
We might also take note of what Zacchaeus said to
Christ about giving half of his property to the poor and needy and making right
any injustices or cheating he might have done since it is also one of the major
teachings of Christ, to be mindful of the needs of others and to share our
gifts with those who have not.
Christ has told us time and again that being aware of
others and having compassion and generosity are keys to entering into heaven.
The Seraphic Father of our order, The Franciscan’s of Divine
Mercy and love of God, our official name, knew this message so very well.
St. Francis is known to have said “I acknowledge that all my possessions were
given to me by God, and now here I am ready to give them back to Him”
Everything we have comes from God and therefore we
need to give thanks for the gifts we have received and not hoard them to
ourselves but share then according to our ability.
We need to open our eyes to the needs of others around
us and to put aside our prejudices and self centered interests and open our
hearts to being more receptive to living the great commandment of Christ every
moment of our life here on earth.
“Love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, mind,
soul and body and love your neighbor as you love yourself” “Love one another as
I have loved you”
Let us go forth from this day forward, putting these
words of Christ into action by being more concerned about the needs of others
especially the poor, sick and aged and seek out every opportunity to share the
gifts that God has given us with others especially the poor, sick, homeless and
aged.
If we do this we will be living the Gospel every day
of our life and by doing so not only be an inspiration to those who we
encounter in our daily life but we will also be opening the door into our
partaking in the everlasting glory in heaven with Almighty God our Father and
creator of all things, His beloved Son, our redeemer and savior Jesus Christ,
the Holy Spirit and all the heavenly elect. May God bless you and keep you, may his light shine upon you and may
you be filled with the comfort and peace that comes from God. AMEN
