Reflection for Monday, July 17, 2000: 15th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Kline, Steve
Issue Date
2000-07-17
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
" . . . Redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow."|"He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin, whereas he who brings himself to nought for me discovers who he is."|God calls my bluff today.|He says: "Don't tell me about your devotion to me. Show me. Live it out. I'm tired of noise and bluster. What have you done today with the gifts I have given you?"|Isaiah offers clear direction. I am here for other people. That is my job. I even get specific instructions as to the types of folks I am here for -- people needing advocates, defenseless children, the abandoned.|"Wait a minute," I say. "What about me? Who is here for me? Who will watch out for me if I don't?"|Well, that's a bluff. Fact is, hundreds of people have been there for me all my life. And God has been there for me, too.|Why is it so difficult to admit that?|Maybe it's because whining about what I want or what I don't have is easier than recognizing my responsibilities. Maybe it's because self-pity is more comfortable than honesty. Maybe it's because when I keep my focus on myself it's easier to avoid my broader responsibilities in God's world. Matthew is clear on this point. A life spent in self-preoccupation is a life of ruin. A life lived for others puts me smack-dab in the middle of the Kingdom of God, which is there for me if I want it.|That doesn't mean that everything is warm, fuzzy and wonderful when I do choose God's Kingdom. Nobody asks me to like it all the time. In fact, I think Jesus says in today's Gospel that choosing Him very likely will create circumstances that I don't like and don't want.|Here's the tough part: None of that harsh reality can excuse my irresponsible behavior. No injustice or cruelty directed at me, no bitter loss or disappointment, no awful unfair circumstance can ever be a good reason to abdicate my responsibility to my sisters and brothers under God's care. Nothing -- NOTHING -- changes the fact that God put me here to be a channel for His grace and love.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 389