Reflection: Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:1-10 – 33rd Tuesday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel today is the story of Zaccheus, the tax collector. Tax collectors (then and now) are not very popular with people — in Jesus’ time and also today. And yet Zaccheus was determined to see “this Jesus” he had heard so much about. He had heard stories of his preaching as well as tales of his amazing power to heal. Zaccheus wanted to see and to listen to this man’s preaching and decide for himself who and what this man was!

Zaccheus knew the route that Jesus most likely would take through Jericho. He made sure he got there early to get a good spot. As we know, Zaccheus was a man of short stature and if there was a crowd he would be unable to see Jesus. He found a way around that problem. He decided to climb a tree that was on the roadside. Being in the tree above the crowd should enable him to see Jesus clearly!

As Jesus was walking down the road, he looked up and saw Zaccheus sitting in the tree. Surprisingly, Jesus asked him to come down. Jesus told Zaccheus that he wished to stay at his house! Zaccheus was amazed and overjoyed that Jesus would come to his house but simply being in Jesus’ presence overwhelmed Zaccheus. Immediately Zaccheus had a deep conversion! Simply being in Jesus’ presence and then “being seen” by him changed Zaccheus’ heart and his life! He would never be the same!

Today Jesus is inviting us to “come down” and spend time with him: to sit, listen and talk with him. What will our response be? Will we invite him into our “inner” home? Or will we stay in our “tree” and watch him walk by? If we choose to invite him into our inner “house,” we also may have a “conversion!"

Reflection: Luke 18:35-43

Luke 18:35-43 – 33rd Monday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel is a very familiar one. It is the story of the blind man who is sitting on the roadside begging. This was the only way he was able to make enough money to live on. As he sat there begging, he heard a large crowd of people approaching. The man wondered what was going on. He asked some of the people who were walking by what was happening. They told the beggar that Jesus, the preacher and healer from Nazareth, was coming through town.

The man immediately began shouting out to Jesus, begging Jesus to heal him. The crowd tried to silence him but the man was determined. He shouted all the louder, hoping and praying that Jesus would hear his cry. As we know, Jesus did hear his cry. He stopped and had the man brought to him. He simply asked the blind man what the man wanted Jesus to do for him. The man said: “I want to see.” Jesus quietly healed his sight (and perhaps his heart)! Then Jesus told the man that it was his faith that had saved him!

How strong is our faith? Do we believe and trust that Jesus hears us when we cry out? When we are in great need do we believe that Jesus will respond to us, will strengthen us and heal us? Trusting Jesus may not be as easy as it sounds! When life is painful, frightening and confusing, it may be extremely difficult to trust to Jesus!

During these difficult and frightening times, we need to reach down deep for our faith, belief and trust that Jesus is always with us. We need to hang onto the belief that He will help us get through this situation. Today may we pray for the grace to place our trust and hope in him!

Reflection: Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel is the parable of the “talents.” In this story the master of the house is going on a fairly long journey and he wants to safeguard his money while he is away. He gave one servant five talents, the 2nd servant two talents and the 3rd one was given one talent. The master, however, had an unspoken expectation. The master expected these servants to increase the amount of his money while he was gone.

The first servant and the second servant did what the master expected. They took the money and invested it. These investments increased the master’s money significantly. The increase varied but the master was extremely pleased with these servants. They had been excellent stewards of his resources.

The third servant, however, was a fearful person. He knew his master could be harsh at times. This servant decided that he simply would keep the master’s money safe. He buried the money in the ground and then waited for the master to return.

When the master finally did return, naturally he asked the servants for an accounting. Each servant came and reported what they had done with his money. The master was very pleased with the first 2 servants. Their investments had made him more money. However, the master was not pleased with the 3rd servant. Yes, the man kept his money safe, but the master had expected him to use it well and increase the amount of money — at least to some degree. Burying the money in the ground kept it safe but the master expected more.

How do we steward the resources that God has given us? Do we use them well and invest them wisely? Do we share them with others? Or do we hide them or dismiss them as insignificant? All our resources are given to us to share with others and the world. Do we believe that the resources or gifts we have are “good enough?” I pray we do!

We may believe that our resources are insignificant instead of using our gifts and resources. Do we use them for God, for others?

Reflection: Luke 28:1-8

Luke 28:1-8

Today Jesus tells his disciples another parable. This parable is about praying always. It is the story of a judge and a woman. The woman had a situation that needed to be resolved. She wanted the judge to rule on this matter. However, the judge simply would not do it. Every day the woman would return to the judge and make her request again.

Over time the judge got weary of her presence and her persistent pleading. He finally decides that the only way for him to have any peace was to finally give the woman the judgment that she was waiting for. He did not do this for her. He did it for himself so that she would go away and no longer bother him!

Jesus applauds this woman for her persistence. Jesus also tells his disciples to not get tired and weary when they are praying. We also are to trust that God will answer us--- if we are persistent in praying. I assume that we have learned over the years that God most often does not give us an immediate response to our prayers. Can you remember a time when you prayed and waited, then prayed and then waited some more?

Jesus is reassuring us that he does hear our prayers and he will answer us. However, the timing may be not what we expect or hope for. We may not get the answer to our prayers on our time schedule. And it may not be the answer that I hoped for. However, Jesus does hear our prayers and he does answer! However, we may need to look deeply and listen deeply to hear or to recognize his response.

At the end of the story Jesus adds that we should not get weary. Today may we ask Jesus for what we need and perhaps want! Today may we be alert and attentive to how he answers us!

Reflection: Luke 17:26-37

Luke 17:26-37 – 32nd Week of Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ dialogue with the Pharisees. He is responding to their question: “when will the Kingdom of God come?” In his response Jesus uses some alarming images. He talks about fire and brimstone as well as people suddenly being taken from their everyday activities. His description is graphic, harsh and even frightening!

Do you ever think about the “end time?” Do you wonder what the “end time” will be like? Does the thought of leaving this world frighten you or comfort you? The factor that may have the greatest impact on our response to this Gospel is the relationship we have with God. If we have a deep and personal relationship with God, Jesus or the Spirit, we still may have a bit of discomfort or anxiety but hopefully not a great deal of fear! However, if my relationship with God/Jesus/Spirit is distant or impersonal, it may be natural to experience some fear or even trepidation!

Today if someone asked you about your relationship with God, how would you respond? What would you say? Or would you just be silent? Today and every day may we take steps to grow closer to God! God is waiting for us!

Reflection: Luke 17:20-25

Luke 17: 20-25 - 32nd Week of Ordinary Time

This Gospel begins with the Pharisees asking Jesus when the kingdom of God will come. Jesus tells them that the kingdom of God is not something you are able to “see.” Nor will anyone announce to you: “Here is the kingdom of God.” Jesus tells the Pharisees that the “kingdom of God is among you.”

Jesus also tells us “the kingdom of God is among us.” Do we believe what Jesus is saying? Do we truly believe that the kingdom of God is among us? If your answer is yes, how and when do you experience the kingdom of God? Who is someone who mediates the kingdom of God for you? Some people in our lives radiate the goodness and love of God.

We often miss experiencing the kingdom of God simply because we are not looking for it nor open to it. We simply expect the “ordinary.” Or we are too busy or preoccupied. Today may we intentionally open our eyes and hearts and be attentive to the ways the kingdom of God is among us—and within us! May God surprise and delight you today!

Reflection: Luke 17:11-19

Luke 17: 11-19 - 32nd Week of Ordinary Time

The Gospel for today is the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers. Stop for a moment and put yourself in the “shoes” of those lepers. They must have heard stories about Jesus and his power to heal. They stood at a distance and cried out to him. They begged him to take pity on them and to heal them. Their disease made them outcasts in the society of that time. They must have longed to be healed and to be able to return to their families, their homes and their lives.

Jesus took their cry to heart and he did heal all 10 of them. However, only one of the lepers took the time to express his deep gratitude and awe to Jesus. The other nine hurriedly went on their way to find the priests so they could be declared clean.

Jesus gave all 10 lepers a great gift. He not only made them whole again but by healing them Jesus restored their lives to them. Now they could return to their families and their lives. They were no longer outcasts!

What is the “infirmity” in our lives? How do we deal with the infirmity? Are we angry, afraid, sad or withdrawn? Or do we gather our courage and approach Jesus and ask him to heal us?

If we do ask to be healed, most likely we hope we will be healed instantly. However, nature’s way of healing usually is gradual and often subtle. Healing also may come in a variety of ways: healing the infirmity itself, giving us the grace to accept our situation or perhaps finding ways to make our lives meaningful in spite of our infirmity.

Today will we approach Jesus and ask him to heal us? Do we trust that Jesus will heal us in some way? Do we truly believe that Jesus is walking this road with us? Today and every day may we pray for the grace to trust Jesus and his promises!

Reflection: Luke 17:7-10

Luke 17: 7-10 - 32nd Week of Ordinary Time

The Gospel for today is a bit unsettling. This parable speaks of the role, responsibilities and place of the servant in Jesus’ time. It was the duty of the servant to serve the master and his household. Jesus was not demeaning the servant. He simply is explaining that the servant is doing what she/he was hired to do. Therefore, they do not have cause to complain.

I assume that at times we also complain about our responsibilities and the time and effort they may require. Complaining can become a great past time. Often we may not even recognize that we are complaining. Does complaining make us feel any better? Or does it just reinforce our dissatisfaction?

Today is a great day to stop complaining! When we find ourselves complaining or being negative may we pause, “bite our tongues” and let go of the comment and thought. Instead may we strive to think of a positive aspect of the situation or the person. If we do this, we may find that we feel better about ourselves, others and life!