Wednesday of the First Week of Advent(Click here for readings)
At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. They crowds were amazed...
Jesus went up on the mountain. What are you doing up here, Lord? I'm getting a good look at all of humanity...and I'm looking for the best way to come to you.
And so he does...in amazing fashion.
The alliance. If I was looking for a God, who would it be? Probably the one who best represented my interests. Thank God God chose me! Really! Otherwise, I do not believe I would have chosen Him. Why? Because He doesn't represent my interests! If anything, He represents everything I hate about myself and others.
I recently went to see the movie "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." I loved it! And I highly recommend it. I have found it to be very useful in spreading the Good News. In fact, it didn't take long for me to draw a parallel between this movie and today's Gospel passage. If you saw the movie, you may recall a brief scene where Haymitch informs Katniss that half of the tributes would like to form an alliance with her. And so who does Katniss pick? The rejects: the oldest tribute and the most awkward ones.
Haymitch cannot believe it, and neither can Peeta.
I wouldn't either...if I didn't know the Gospel, and if the Gospel weren't so deeply embedded in my and Suzanne Collins' brain.
This is the stuff of champions!
Blessed are the meek and humble of heart, for they will inherit the earth.
Who does the Lord form an alliance with? The weak. The crippled. The blind. The deformed. The mute. Who does the Lord form an alliance with? Let's say it clearly: the rejects of the earth.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people, blessed are those prepared to meet him. Are you prepared to meet him? Then be blind and walk by faith. Be mute and listen. Be humble and admit your falls. Realize you are crippled and acknowledge your sinfulness.
The Lord knew who He could work with. He also knew who He could not trust. Can He trust you?
Apparently, He can trust the Pope.
I find it amazing how action figures can actually come to life, in real life, but in a way I would least expect them to. Amazing!
Stephen Colbert, of the Comedy Channel understands this, and so he knows how to channel superheroes with real-life comedy and real-life seriousness. Take a look at this video and you will know what I mean.
Can the Lord trust you? What are you doing tonight? Where are you going tonight?
"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked" (Is. 25:9)
Father Alfonse -- Now this is a positive meditation that I like! :) I'm so glad you were able to see "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"! It really is great! The old and rejects Katniss picks as allies really come through for her. I recommend everyone see this movie, too! (Hopefully you decided to finish the 2nd book and go on to the 3rd. A lot more detail and background covered. I found the last two books very eye opening. Some of the best books I've ever read!)
ReplyDeleteWhat am I doing tonight? Praying the Liturgy of the Hours and saying my rosary. Saying an Act of Contrition for being so irritable and cranky lately. (Lack of sleep and seasonal allergies don't help.) Trying not to over analyze every little thing causing unnecessary worry and anxiety.
I found it interesting that the Pope said he was a bouncer at a night club in his younger days...I've started reading Pope Francis' "Evangelii Gaudium." Maybe you can share some of your own insights on the encyclical?
-Jennifer