There are many philosophies out today, describing various pathways to happiness and to a meaningful life .Most of them, not all, have a lot to offer, but they sometimes ‘over-simplify' in order to stress how easy it can be .Ten ways to a more financial future. A sure guide to a happy marriage and so on. The real and challenging truth about life is that, life is difficult. Dr. Scott Peck, a Christian psychiatrist, in his classic –The Road less traveled- points out in the first few pages, that “life is difficult”. With our faith, of course it is indeed possible to have a very meaningful and productive life, but folks, we constantly must remind ourselves, that we, the ‘disciples of Jesus’ are to follow the Master, and that needs no explanation.
I’d like to theologize the events of this past week, that I have experienced .I had heard of the two police shot in Miami, and I prayed for them, as we all should Now my prayer is for all our world leaders, our Church leaders, our Congress and all public officials Then I got a call from a former parishioner, informing me that one of those shot, the female officer was the daughter of a well know and active family in the parish .I called the family and offered to do what they wanted They expressed their desire that they would like me to be present with them at the memorial service, and that we would have a special Mass later .Sometimes, folks our presence – presence is a powerful gift and support. My neighbor who has trouble with his short term memory but was doing OK, but once the family heard about this new development, they showed up in ‘mass’ even though I have never seen them before in approximately ten years. It is incredibly sad-they want the few dollars that may be hanging around. They’re fighting for ‘power of attorney etc., and he may not have a choice if the officials get involved. I had suggested to him a few years back to address some issues, but he dismissed the proposals. There’s a powerful lesson here folks —we can avoid a lot of hassle and trouble for ourselves when we address as mush as possible, these important “end of life” decisions.
It has just been announced that there are 26 million Americans with diabetes, and 97 million are pre-diabetic. We are doing this to ourselves-life is difficult we are frightened at what’s taking place in Egypt; the ramifications are enormous from many perspectives. It ought to be a subject of our daily and hourly prayer.
Zephaniah recommended to his people that those who humbly seek God, observe the law and seek justice will find shelter in God : ”But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord." Blessed are the poor in Spirit, the kingdom of heaven is theirs’ .Our second reading from Paul: ”God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong . .so that no human being might boast before God”. THE GOSPEL GIVES US EIGHT BE-ATTITUDES—blessed are the poor … those who mourn. .the meek, .those who hunger, the merciful, .the pure of heart, .the peacemakers, .and the persecuted”. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas believed that they represented a pathway to holiness, but were unattainable for most regular folks. Believers are to think, speak and act as Jesus did .Matthew placed them at the beginning of Jesus’ public life, so he believed that they were elemental .Jesus you are all I have, you give me all I need, my life is in your hands. AMEN.
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