Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time(Click here for readings)
By FR ALFONSE NAZZARO
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man...The weeds are the children of the Evil One... The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace..."
It's not everyday we hear the Lord speak so, well, "Medieval." But we have it in us to be very "Medieval," or, better yet, so "20th century."
The Lord is reminding us that we have a tremendous responsibility towards Him and our neighbor. So what exactly does this mean?
1. Keep your priorities straight. I continue to be amazed at how so many people, including old people, perpetuate century old lies. For example, a few days ago I had someone come up to me and ask me to pray that their grandson pick and choose the right college. I couldn't believe my ears. Really? Com' on! Let me tell you what is far more important: that college is for learning, not liberating. And what is even more important than that is how they need to keep their heads on straight when they are in college.
Do you remember how everyone was talking about Breaking Bad? I can't tell you how many times people said to me: Oh my gosh! You have to watch this show! It's amazing!
Really? It's a TV show. Give me a break!
Believe it or not I have reflected on this phenomenon. I find it amazing how we (I include myself) can talk up a storm about a TV show or a sports game or something similar to it and encourage others to watch it, participate in it and be thrilled by it...and yet I don't even mention a word about my faith, or my religion, or my God.
Amazing!
2. Get out of your shell. Early this morning I read in the news that the Church of the Snows, a Catholic Church - the only one on this particular continent- was closing. That's right. The only Catholic Church in Antarctica is closing after some fifty-plus years.
I couldn't believe it! At first I thought, "We have a church down there?" And then I said to myself, "Big deal. I'm sure the priest is relieved." But once I was fully awake, I felt quite a bit of sadness. I was truly disturbed by this fact and was curious to know why.
In its heydays, there were over 2000 people working in the vicinity of the Church. Today, with budget cuts and other constraints, the number has dwindled. But the real reason for its closure was "a lack of interest." The people are no longer coming to Church.
HEY FOLKS: Wake up! Do you still believe that people come to Church? Give me a break! People don't come to Church. They are brought to Church.
How are we supposed to bring people to Church? This is what I do. I invite HS students, college students, young people, anyone!!! to breakfast, lunch or dinner. I invite people to Church. I tell them what God has done for me. I take my life and theirs seriously. I take my responsibility seriously.
Very few times did Christ ever speak in a medieval (or modern) tone. We should take Him seriously, for the salvation of souls depends on Him and on us as well.
We have our part in the history of salvation.
Wishing you a Happy Birthday today, Fr Alfonse!
ReplyDeleteYou're right on the mark. St. Augustine said it so long ago when he said that Christians should consider those theatre fans--early ancestors of TV fans--telling all their friends to see a certain show or a certain actor (De Doctrina Christiana). Catholics can do the same and talk about their beloved faith.
ReplyDeleteNot only does this help with evangelizing both those inside and outside the Church, but it actual livens up the conversation a bit. My friends and family have exhausted the whole food and entertainment lines of discussion, so we've moved on to more important issues concerning the church and government. The people who stigmatize these topics need to get their heads out the sand. I find that far from creating divisions and discomfort, it can bring people closer together.
Bonding with people over faith, instead of shallow likes and dislikes, is a wonderful thing. It sets the foundations of successful relationships, both romantic and platonic. Bonding over anything else will usually set a time limit on the relationship from the beginning.