Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Spirit Of A Believing Welcome
Whether we are considering increasing our charitable donations, entering into a business partership, forming a small Christian community or getting married, there are spiritual as well as economic issues involved. As long as we hold back, defining ourselves by what we own or competing with each other for status and position will make real sharing impossible.. Moreover, our efforts to protect our interests legally, for example, mean that we give while counting the cost down to the very last penny.
This may be wise according to the world's standards, but it does not represent the fullness of true Christian charity. Real giving always entails vulnerability. Christian charity, as modeled by the early Church in the 1st reading is based on the promise that the goods of this world come as gifts to be used wisely for the benefit of all, especially the poor and needy among us. Few of us are ever going to voluntarily give everything away; when we do give, however, may we give with the generosity of Christ which knows no limits.
Our giving also should not only be one in cash or kind, but also one in faith. A giving of our faith, a proclamation of our belief, a declaration of the spiritual truth we hold near and dear is sometimes what someone needs, more that money or help in any other form. Our Gospel text shows us Thomas in just that light. From refusing to open up his heart to accept, one meeting with the risen Jesus and he proclamed the highest form of faith that can be declared: "My Lord and my God!"
His believing welcome, as it were, of Jesus' risen presence among His disciples opened Thomas up to new and greater possibilities. His encounter with Jesus began to prepare him for the mission the Lord had in store for him. Jesus was in fact, taking Thomas out of the "tomb of doubt" that had enslaved him for so long. The Resurrection encounter gave Thomas the boldness to declare his faith, a faith he would one day gladly suffer martyrdom for.
Yet, what has all this in store for us? What practical application can we draw from the 1st reading and the Gospel passages of this Sunday's Mass? Possibly it is calling us to sit down in the presence of the risen Jesus and see just how generous, welcoming and faithful our Lenten preparation has made us. Have we given willingly during Charities Week? have we sacrifice some comfort for the sake of our felow Catholics?
Has our Easter celebration been one big faith proclamation? We will only be able to give like the early Church and profess our faith like Thomas once we allow the ever powerful Ressurection presence of Jesus to encounter us, challenge us, transform us and invite us to live fully as a child of the Light and a child of the Resurrection. Amen.
Teach us O Lord, to give without counting the cost & let us always boldly proclaim our faith in You, as our only Lord and God. Amen.
This may be wise according to the world's standards, but it does not represent the fullness of true Christian charity. Real giving always entails vulnerability. Christian charity, as modeled by the early Church in the 1st reading is based on the promise that the goods of this world come as gifts to be used wisely for the benefit of all, especially the poor and needy among us. Few of us are ever going to voluntarily give everything away; when we do give, however, may we give with the generosity of Christ which knows no limits.
Our giving also should not only be one in cash or kind, but also one in faith. A giving of our faith, a proclamation of our belief, a declaration of the spiritual truth we hold near and dear is sometimes what someone needs, more that money or help in any other form. Our Gospel text shows us Thomas in just that light. From refusing to open up his heart to accept, one meeting with the risen Jesus and he proclamed the highest form of faith that can be declared: "My Lord and my God!"
His believing welcome, as it were, of Jesus' risen presence among His disciples opened Thomas up to new and greater possibilities. His encounter with Jesus began to prepare him for the mission the Lord had in store for him. Jesus was in fact, taking Thomas out of the "tomb of doubt" that had enslaved him for so long. The Resurrection encounter gave Thomas the boldness to declare his faith, a faith he would one day gladly suffer martyrdom for.
Yet, what has all this in store for us? What practical application can we draw from the 1st reading and the Gospel passages of this Sunday's Mass? Possibly it is calling us to sit down in the presence of the risen Jesus and see just how generous, welcoming and faithful our Lenten preparation has made us. Have we given willingly during Charities Week? have we sacrifice some comfort for the sake of our felow Catholics?
Has our Easter celebration been one big faith proclamation? We will only be able to give like the early Church and profess our faith like Thomas once we allow the ever powerful Ressurection presence of Jesus to encounter us, challenge us, transform us and invite us to live fully as a child of the Light and a child of the Resurrection. Amen.
Teach us O Lord, to give without counting the cost & let us always boldly proclaim our faith in You, as our only Lord and God. Amen.
Acknowledgements:
Fraternity of Mater Dolorosa
Fraternity of Mater Dolorosa
Labels: Easter, Sacred Scripture, Spirituality, Sunday Reading Reflections (A)
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