A reflection on the Gospel reading for November 17, 2007 (Luke 18:1-8 ) by Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB.
When I first came to the monastery, I read those words of Christ: "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" (Luke 18;8) and I thought, "Of course He will!" I would never have believed otherwise. But now, when I go to town I see that it's not such a silly question. Actually, it's very possible that He won't find faith. It's not because people have rejected God outright-- rather it's because they don't pursue Him. No one has time to pray. Every second is filled with noise.
This is one way we can help change the world-- by taking our prayer time seriously. Be jealous of it!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Observing Christ
A reflection on the Mass readings from November 3, 2007 (Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29 and Lk 14:1,7-11) by Mother Maria Michael Newe, OSB.
We hear in the first reading this morning that "the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Rom 11:29) This shows us that even if we turn away, God's vision for us stays the same. He doesn't change just because we do.
And in the Gospel we read that "the people were observing [Christ] carefully."(Lk 14:1) That word "observe" suggests something a little more analytical, rather than emotional, and I can appreciate that. Do we observe Christ, or do we get so caught up in our emotions that we can't hear what He's saying? Self-pity especially gets us so caught up in ourselves that we forget to see the wonderful things God does for us-- "Oh, poor me, my life is so hard. You gave all the gifts to someone else..."
Learn to watch your emotions. Don't let them control you.
We hear in the first reading this morning that "the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Rom 11:29) This shows us that even if we turn away, God's vision for us stays the same. He doesn't change just because we do.
And in the Gospel we read that "the people were observing [Christ] carefully."(Lk 14:1) That word "observe" suggests something a little more analytical, rather than emotional, and I can appreciate that. Do we observe Christ, or do we get so caught up in our emotions that we can't hear what He's saying? Self-pity especially gets us so caught up in ourselves that we forget to see the wonderful things God does for us-- "Oh, poor me, my life is so hard. You gave all the gifts to someone else..."
Learn to watch your emotions. Don't let them control you.
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