The scriptures have an uncanny way of challenging us each week to live the life of disciples. That's not always easy, in fact it can be rather difficult at times. Just when we think we've got it right, there's always a new level at which we are challenged ... but then perhaps that's what it's all about: always being challenged to be better, more compassionate, more Christ-like.
Listen in or read on for this week's reflection.
On the other hand, the gospel today presents the scene of Jesus in conversation with the disciples, and particularly with Simon. This guy was a bit of a hot head. He was perhaps used to having things his way, and to making sure that he did. People around him certainly knew that he wasn't the easiest to get along with, and perhaps Simon himself knew that more than once, his hot head got him into trouble, especially if he spoke without thinking: something he probably did a lot. When Jesus asked his disciples this all-important question, 'Who do you say I am?', he was putting them to the test. Maybe some of the disciples looked away, hoping that he wouldn't choose them to answer the query, but not Peter. He opened his mouth, 'You are the Christ, the Son of God'. I wonder whether the others thought 'Oh, here we go again'. Imagine their surprise when Jesus responded, 'Blessed are you Simon ... on the rock of your faith I will build my Church'. I can just imagine that Peter himself would have been as surprised as anyone at this response. I wonder if he sat there quizzically and wondered, 'Who? Me?'
Fasting in this way might even lead us to ask some pretty challenging questions of ourselves. Television and other forms of social media allow us quite easily to be aware of the plight of the hungry, the starving, and the suffering in our world. The danger is that we can easily turn off the television, we can easily ignore the plight of the suffering, or we can choose to make a difference. Perhaps it's our turn to hear a warning. Perhaps it’s our turn to speak up in faith. Perhaps it’s our turn to ask, 'Who? Me?'
More and more people across the country are accepting the challenge to come to the assistance of the famine and drought victims in East Africa. In this parish, our contributions received to date have topped the $4,000 level, and there is still time. For some, financial contributions may not be possible, but for all of us, prayer is very possible. In fact, prayer is perhaps more powerful than anything else we can offer. Today, you will find at the entrances to the church, copies of a prayer that we can offer for those in far off lands who are in need of our help. Perhaps the question, 'Who? Me?' will stir within us a renewed sense of compassion for the suffering in our world. Perhaps it will motivate us to make a difference in their world too.
Listen in or read on for this week's reflection.
Who? Me?
The scripture passages we read each week afford us a glimpse into the lives of others just like us, people who faced the struggles of daily life, the uncertainties of character and even the temptations to use any means to get ahead. Shebna, the steward spoken of in the first reading today had life pretty good. His was a position of some influence, and it would seem that he was taking advantage of this fortune, but God gave him a pretty stern warning to watch himself. We all need to have checks and balances in our lives: the people, the situations, the faith that keeps the voice of our conscience screaming at us when we are tempted to believe that life somehow owes us. I wonder if Shebna himself heard this warning and responded with the all-too-familiar reaction, 'Who? Me?'
On the other hand, the gospel today presents the scene of Jesus in conversation with the disciples, and particularly with Simon. This guy was a bit of a hot head. He was perhaps used to having things his way, and to making sure that he did. People around him certainly knew that he wasn't the easiest to get along with, and perhaps Simon himself knew that more than once, his hot head got him into trouble, especially if he spoke without thinking: something he probably did a lot. When Jesus asked his disciples this all-important question, 'Who do you say I am?', he was putting them to the test. Maybe some of the disciples looked away, hoping that he wouldn't choose them to answer the query, but not Peter. He opened his mouth, 'You are the Christ, the Son of God'. I wonder whether the others thought 'Oh, here we go again'. Imagine their surprise when Jesus responded, 'Blessed are you Simon ... on the rock of your faith I will build my Church'. I can just imagine that Peter himself would have been as surprised as anyone at this response. I wonder if he sat there quizzically and wondered, 'Who? Me?'
The challenges placed before Shebna and Peter today are also put before us. These are more than just idle questions though. They are real. We are the ones being challenged to take account of the way we are living our lives, to be honest with ourselves about whether we're cheating ourselves in some way, or running the risk that all we have may somehow be taken away. More than once in the past two weeks, I've begun the day thinking, 'Today's the day,' I'm going to fast today in solidarity with the people of East Africa. The best-laid plans always seem to be sideswiped though. In a place and time where all material goods we could possibly dream of are available and perhaps worse yet, when we're used to having all things at our finger tips, it's almost impossible to think of ourselves doing without food, or without the ever-present cell phone, complete with its incoming texts and emails. What about turning off the lights, reading a book that's actually printed on paper, visiting with a friend, or catching up with a long-lost friend? Fasting takes effort because changing our routines and habits isn't easy, getting away from the automatic reactions and choices takes work, but it's worth it because this kind of change allows us to develop a new vision, a new appreciation for all that we have, a new level of solidarity with those who struggle each day even for the basic things we take for granted.
Fasting in this way might even lead us to ask some pretty challenging questions of ourselves. Television and other forms of social media allow us quite easily to be aware of the plight of the hungry, the starving, and the suffering in our world. The danger is that we can easily turn off the television, we can easily ignore the plight of the suffering, or we can choose to make a difference. Perhaps it's our turn to hear a warning. Perhaps it’s our turn to speak up in faith. Perhaps it’s our turn to ask, 'Who? Me?'
More and more people across the country are accepting the challenge to come to the assistance of the famine and drought victims in East Africa. In this parish, our contributions received to date have topped the $4,000 level, and there is still time. For some, financial contributions may not be possible, but for all of us, prayer is very possible. In fact, prayer is perhaps more powerful than anything else we can offer. Today, you will find at the entrances to the church, copies of a prayer that we can offer for those in far off lands who are in need of our help. Perhaps the question, 'Who? Me?' will stir within us a renewed sense of compassion for the suffering in our world. Perhaps it will motivate us to make a difference in their world too.
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