Thursday, December 15, 2016

Reflection: Luke 7:24-30


Thursday of the Third Week of Advent - Luke 7:24-30

Today’s Gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s Gospel. When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.  He asked the crowds: “What did you come out to see in the desert - a reed swayed by the wind?  Truly, what did you come out to see?  Someone dressed in fine clothing and one who dines on fine food and drink and lives in luxury?  Or did you come out to see a prophet?  John is a prophet and something more.  This is the man whom Scripture says: “I send my messenger before you to prepare your way before you!” Then Jesus solemnly said to the people: “I send my messenger before you to prepare your way before you!  I assure you that there is no one born of man or woman who is greater than John.  Yet the least born into the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Today I invite you to ask yourself: When you attend Mass, what do you hope to see or experience?  Are you attentive to the liturgy, the Scripture readings, the homily and the music?  Do you truly enter into the liturgy?  Or do you space out and think about what you have to do that day?  Be honest: What is your experience of the celebration of the Eucharist?  Do you simply go through the motions of attending Mass?  Or are your heart and mind focused on this sacred experience?  Our experience of the celebration of Eucharist is determined by our attentiveness and active participation or our lack of attentiveness and participation. 

If we do not consciously celebrate the Eucharist, we are simply going through the motions!  Yes, our attendance counts for something;  however, the experience of Eucharist will be very rich if we focus on this sacred time.  Most likely our minds will wander away periodically;  however we can continue to bring our minds and hearts back to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  It always is our choice. The celebration of the Eucharist can be a sacrament or it can be 60 minutes simply spent in church.
What will we choose?

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