Many thanks to those who helped and supported our bake sale this
weekend. I will write more about this next week. I meant to thank the youngest
member of the 12 noon choir, Bethany Mete, in my column last week, for
presenting me with the beautiful card and framed copy of the music for the
Irish Blessing that was sung in my honour. Thank-you Bethany, for the
presentation and for posing for the great picture.
Gospel Meditation
What is the greatest force in the world? Jesus tells us that with faith
we can do far more than we could accomplish by our own strength; faith can even
move mountains and trees, Matthew17:20;
Mark 11:23! What kind of faith did Jesus have in mind here? By faith Jesus
meant more than just belief in God and in his power. Jesus spoke of faith as
something dynamic, active, and very alive. Expectant faith is a gift God gives
us for overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of doing God's will. It
enables us to cooperate with God's grace and power for accomplishing whatever
God wants us to do. To illustrate the powerful force of faith, Jesus used the
image of an uprooted tree. Have you ever seen an uprooted tree caused by a
sudden wind storm or flash flood? On another occasion Jesus illustrated the
force of faith with the incredible image of a mountain transplanted: "For
truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say
to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it will move; and
nothing will be impossible to you."Matthew 17:20. The term "mountain
remover" was used in Jesus' time for describing someone who could solve
great problems and difficulties. Don't we often encounter challenges and
difficulties which seem beyond our power to handle? What appears impossible to
human power is possible to those who believe in God's power.
Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to
understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love. God expects more
from us than we can do by ourselves. Faith in God is the key for removing
obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing his will. We are his
servants, and he is ever ready to work through us and in us for his glory. For
faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and obedience — an
active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. Jesus’
parable of the dutiful laborers seems to suggest that we ought to always give
our best, regardless of what we can expect in return. But, aren't we like the
laborer in Jesus' parable who expected fair compensation for his day's work?
How unfair for the master to compel him to give more than what was
expected! Don't we love to assert our rights: "I will give only what
is required and no more!" But who can satisfy the claims of love? Jesus
used this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God
in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard
ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus did. Service of God and of neighbor
is both a voluntary or free act which springs from a generous and merciful
heart and a sacred duty which we owe to an all-merciful and gracious God. One
can volunteer for public service or be compelled to do service for one's
country. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise
which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of our
lives to him and his service. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the
love we express in the gift of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous,
and selfless.
How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? God himself
is Love (1 John 4:16) and he fills our hearts with the boundless love
that gives what is good for the sake of others. If we love one another, God
abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12). God
honors the faithful servant who loves mercifully and gives generously. He wants
to bless us richly with his gifts and graces and to work through and in us for
his glory. We must remember, however, that God can never be indebted to us. We
have no claim on him. His love compels us to give him our best! And when
we have done our best, we have simply done our duty. We can never outmatch God
in generous giving and loving service. Does the love of God compel you to give
your best?
"Lord, fill our hearts with love, gratitude and generosity. Make us
faithful and zealous servants for you. May we generously pour out our lives in
loving service for you and for others, just as you have so generously poured
yourself out for us."
Fr. Phil
