Dear Friends,
Jesus uses not just one, but three parables, to make his point in today’s gospel from Luke! Now far from wanting to frighten us into not “getting caught” misbehaving and suffering the consequences of eternal punishment, Jesus is encouraging us to live fully awake, aware, and alive. As Sr Ephrem Hollermann puts it, these parables are about prioritizing, preparing, and responding in discipleship.
Remember, Jesus shares these stories right after encouraging us to be “rich in the things that matter to God.” And what matters to God? In a word: JUSTICE. Yes, justice. Not in the sense of retribution like you’re going to get the punishment you deserve for the wrongs you’ve done, but rather in the sense of restoration: all things restored to their proper place and purpose and dignity for the sake of ever-flourishing life. In the biblical understanding of justice, God wants all to be set right. God wants every person to have whatever person deserves – all that they need to grow and flourish and contribute to the growth and flourishing of the entire world. That is justice in the truest sense.
So, how do we make that happen? By being AWAKE and AWARE of God’s presence already all around us. If we are not awake and aware of God’s presence all around and within us, we can become drowsy or distracted. But when we prioritize the decision to be intentional about recognizing the Divine in all things, then everything changes:
When I recognize God present in all of creation and all Earth’s resources, then I treat that creation with reverence and gratitude and awe. I use what only what I legitimately need, and I do so with a grateful heart. And I join those trying to make wise decision about the way the resources of our world are used for the good of all and for future generations.
When I am truly awake, I see the Divine in every person I encounter: yes, in those I love and those who love me. And the awareness of this love fills me with joy and energy for the work of loving them and seeking their good.
Yet I also see God in those who are strangers or different or needy and in distress: my co-worker who thinks differently than I, the person on the street asking for money, the immigrant afraid to go food shopping for fear of the abuses of ICE, the person who doesn’t “fit in” to the sexual categories I’m used to or with which I’m comfortable. I see God in everyone. And I respond accordingly: with reverence, respect and yes, love.
Jesus’ point is that if we are his disciples, then we follow him. We act like him. A friend from our Home Eucharist group always prays that as he goes about his day he will “look like Jesus.” Yes! We, like Jesus, become ever more aware of the Love in which we live and move and have our being. And we become ever more present to that Love all around us. And we respond to Love with love.
We don’t live out of fear because Jesus has told us that “your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” The Father is please to give us love and surround us with Love.
We have our priorities. And priority number one is to be aware of Love loving us. And priority two is to love as ‘Love loves and loves all.’
With Love,
Father Liam
Dear Friends,
Jesus uses not just one, but three parables, to make his point in today’s gospel from Luke! Now far from wanting to frighten us into not “getting caught” misbehaving and suffering the consequences of eternal punishment, Jesus is encouraging us to live fully awake, aware, and alive. As Sr Ephrem Hollermann puts it, these parables are about prioritizing, preparing, and responding in discipleship.
Remember, Jesus shares these stories right after encouraging us to be “rich in the things that matter to God.” And what matters to God? In a word: JUSTICE. Yes, justice. Not in the sense of retribution like you’re going to get the punishment you deserve for the wrongs you’ve done, but rather in the sense of restoration: all things restored to their proper place and purpose and dignity for the sake of ever-flourishing life. In the biblical understanding of justice, God wants all to be set right. God wants every person to have whatever person deserves – all that they need to grow and flourish and contribute to the growth and flourishing of the entire world. That is justice in the truest sense.
We don’t live out of fear because Jesus has told us that “your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” The Father is please to give us love and surround us with Love.
We have our priorities. And priority number one is to be aware of Love loving us. And priority two is to love as ‘Love loves and loves all.’
With Love,
Father Liam