Today’s Thoughts: Sometimes when we encounter the daily scriptures they create different emotional responses. Take todays two readings one from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy and the other from the Gospel of Mark, they present us with two different situations that might just product two different emotions within us. In the passage from St. Paul’s Letter we encounter Paul’s continued council of Timothy as he takes on the role of leader in the faith community while in the Gospel of Mark we are presented with a perplexing little riddle that is part of Jesus’ ongoing tension with the religious leaders of his time – we might say our scriptures today present us with a challenge to living our faith and the reason for ongoing conflict.
In the selection from St. Paul’s Letter we are reminded that faith, that being a Christian is no easy task. It is serious business and that words are never enough, they must be back up by action, by the living of life. Paul reminds Timothy that faith is about the basic virtues of loyalty and kindliness, a way of living life that is open to everyone. St. Paul’s words today are a strong reminder for us as we go through this difficult time in our nation’s history. Words, rhetoric are not enough especially if they are not followed up by actions. Racist will not change just by saying so. Change will only take place if we incorporate the words into the living of our life. If we look at and treat people as God’s gifts, as created in the image and likeness of God and do not just say it. St. Paul is challenging Timothy to be a good leader and at the same time he is challenging us to be good people of faith, As I said above it is not easy because it will open us up to ridicule and as Paul puts it persecution. Christianity, faith is advanced citizenship in the Kingdom of God and until we reach that Kingdom it will be demanding, difficult, a struggle and often unpopular! Our Gospel continues the back and forth between Jesus and he religious leadership of his time. Today, Jesus challenges them with a little riddle about David and the people listening are delighted with Jesus’ mastery over those who are in charge. Throughout this exchange that takes place in Chapter Twelve of Mark, Jesus seem to constantly reinforce the fundamental qualities of life like compassion, love, forgiveness, generosity, and prayer. We might say that Jesus and St. Paul are saying you cannot just hold up a bible or take a picture in from of a statue and be Christian. St. Paul reminds us there are a lot of deceivers out there. Being a Christian is an act of living life in the presence of God. Jesus refuses to get caught up in “when,” “where,” or “how,” Jesus is concerned about the now! It is the act of living in the now that is most important. Tobit and Anna had hope in the future but their lives of patience and love were firmly grounded in the present and in the end, they found new sight and life-giving love. Let’s not look too far ahead. Let us not make things too complicated. Let’s be watchful, loving, compassionate, forgiving, generous and prayerful so that we don’t miss those wonderful moments of God’s presence that come to our doorstep! Have a blessed, holy, safe, and healthy Friday everyone!
1 Comment
Mary E
6/5/2020 04:50:51 am
Your words of wisdom...”live in the presence of God...don’t miss those wonderful moments of God’s presence that come to our doorsteps.”
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Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"Just a few thoughts to help you on your journey through life...let me know from time to time what you think... Archives
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