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Clinging vs. Trusting

August 16th, 2011 by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D. Jgs 6:11-24a / Mt 19:23-30

Very few of us have to worry about the "problems" of being rich. But, in any case, being rich isn’t what today’s gospel is about. The real issue is that very human inclination to cling to whatever we’ve got, whether we’re the toddler who clings to his teddy bear or the adult who clings to his dead ideas.

We are natural-born clingers and it doesn’t take much to make us hold on tight. That clinging, whether with our hands, our minds or our hearts, can prevent our receiving the really valuable things that life can give, and that God wants us to have.

We have a much better alternative, and the prayer stance that the Church prescribes for its priests for praying the Our Father shows it quite graphically: Hands wide open, palms turned upward, clinging to nothing, confident and ready to receive what God wants us to have.

That’s the life stance of a person who knows what God Our Father is really about: Heart wide open, clinging to nothing, confident, and ready to receive what God wants us to have.


38 posted on 08/16/2011 10:13:55 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 


<< Tuesday, August 16, 2011 >> St. Stephen of Hungary
Saint of the Day
 
Judges 6:11-24
View Readings
Psalm 85:9, 11-14 Matthew 19:23-30
 

"SUNDAY OBLIGATION"

 
"While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to save it from the Midianites, the angel of the Lord appeared to him." —Judges 6:11-12
 

For seven years the Midianites descended upon Israel to devour its produce. This left the Israelites in misery and starvation. To save a little wheat, Gideon threshed it secretly in the winepress instead of on a threshing floor. This may be similar to the spiritual condition of many Christians today. Many are spiritually starving. We cannot live on bread alone, but on every word which comes from God's mouth (Mt 4:4). Nevertheless, we don't spend much time in God's word. Neither do we eat the spiritual food of Holy Communion frequently enough (see Jn 6:55). We have so stuffed ourselves with the pleasures of the world (see Prv 13:19) that we have lost our appetite for the things of God (see Gal 5:17).

Like the Midianites, the devil has reduced us to spiritual starvation and anorexia. Like Gideon, we survive by beating out a little wheat in the winepress. We call this "fulfilling our Sunday obligation." This is good in that it keeps us breathing, but not good enough to provide the spiritual nourishment necessary for full life in Christ (see Jn 10:10). We must repent, change our lifestyle, and let the Lord free us from oppression, starvation, and spiritual anorexia.

 
Prayer: Father, may I allow You to give me my daily bread (Mt 6:11).
Promise: "Many who are first shall come last, and the last shall come first." —Mt 19:30
Praise: St. Stephen's parents were both converts who wisely chose St. Adalbert as his teacher in the faith. He spent his energy propagating his faith and providing for the spiritual needs of his people.

40 posted on 08/16/2011 10:22:06 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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