|
Some
Thoughts on the Liturgy
BEING TOLERANT
+
Both readings mention “the Spirit of the Lord”
- Jesus, saying that the Spirit
that Isaiah talked of was with him
- Paul, speaking to the Corinthians,
saying that he did his preaching through the convincing power of the Spirit
- and what does Jesus speak
of with that power of God?
- that is, what
caused the worshippers in Nazareth
to go from honor to the point of wanting to kill him?
-
it was what might be called “religious tolerance”
+
Jewish people were strong into the theme of election:
- throughout the Old Testament, God
had told them that they were the chosen race
- here, Jesus opens up the
possibility of salvation for all
- the widow of
Zarephath and Naaman were foreigners, not Jews, and Jesus was saying that
the power of God worked with them as well
+
An obvious application for a person who is pursuing the spiritual life is
the whole question of religious tolerance
- God is working with others who
are not of our belief, indeed not even Christian as well
- and on Labor Day, as we all work
side by side, we are called to be tolerant of the others, and aware that
God is working through all of us no matter what our belief about God
+
But I believe a more important application is one closer to home
- tolerance of other Catholics who
may not agree with how we think
- tolerance of other people who
have different opinions from us
- tolerance of family members who
are older and have chosen different roads than the ones we wanted them to
choose
+
Further, it is important to study the reaction of the people in Nazareth
- they were happy when Jesus agreed
with them
- but they really lost it
when he wanted to take them beyond their comfort zone
- with us, we read
Scripture and tend to agree with those areas that agree with us
|
- the
spiritual person will carefully study every Scripture passage with the idea
that Scripture is telling us something new which we may or may not be
doing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEDIA PRESENTATION
Song: "Greedy" – Tate McRae
BEING “TOO GREEDY” WITH LOVE
|
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied
to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he
said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for thought one
may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
|
|
Gospelthink:
A follower of mine will not be into greed.
|
|
“He
says, ‘Are you serious,’ I’ve tried, but I can’t figure out; I’ve been
next to you all night and still don’t know what you’re about.” But she says, “I would want
myself. Please believe me. I’ll put you through hell just to know
me, so sure of yourself, don’t get greedy—that stuff won’t end well.”
|
|
Jesus knew about being greedy. He
understood that it was nothing more than selfishness and so he warns
those who follow him: “Take care to guard against all greed.” It is
significant that he says “all greed” because greed not only applies to
possessions which he mentions, but understood generally, it applies to
personal relationships as well.
Tate McRae’s song “Greedy” applies
to personal relationships with the lady in the relationship saying to the
man that he should not be greedy.
That is, he should not be too quick to pursue entering some type
of commitment. She is not ready
yet, and she is telling him not to be so selfish as to not give her the
time that is needed to be sure of a permanent commitment. As she said of
the song, it was all about the confidence of the woman and about female
empowerment. That is, she decides when the commitment will be
made.
The lesson of greediness therefore
implies a two-fold thought. Not only should we not follow the desire to
have as many possessions as possible, but we should control our
selfishness and allow the significant others in our relationships to make
the decisions according to their desires.
Greed is selfishness and
selfishness is controlled by the understanding of what is truly important
in life.
|
|
PRAYER
Good and gracious God, we are
selfish people in many ways. We want what we want whether speaking of possessions
or relationships. Give us the grace to completely understand our desires,
and to regulate them for better living. Be with us, we pray.
|
|
+++++
GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM
PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT
Theme: Greed can be seen not only in the desire for possessions, but also
in the pursuit of relationships.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Greedy” teach
young people?
2. What is your understanding
of “being greedy”?
3. When do you think is the
best time to make a permanent commitment like marriage?
4. As a general statement, do
you think most people get married too young?
5. What do you think of the
actions of many people who simply live together instead of marrying?
6. Why do people what more and
more “things”?
7. In your opinion, what is
the best way to control selfishness?
|
|
©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of
the Capuchin
Province of Mid-America
|
|
|