This is an exciting weekend for us at the Newman Center - we officially kick-off our school year tomorrow. We anticipate lots of students and families joining us for our opening weekend liturgies. I find it interesting how the readings really speak to this exciting time.
First Reading - Isaiah: gathering all the nations (or in our case, from all across the state/nation/globe to attend UNK)
Psalm 117 - Go out to all the world and tell the Good News (aka as we begin this new semester, we are to reach out to everyone we encounter with hope and conviction)
Second Reading - Hebrews: Endure trials, they are meant to strengthen us (so homework may be painful but it is worth it, right? Oh, and probably also good to consider the trials of being Christian)
Gospel - Luke: Narrow gate - many will try to enter, but will not be strong enough. (self-explanatory)
It's surprising to me, when you get the context and background on the readings, how much it can widen one's perspective. On the surface, the Gospel sounds a little harsh. One part refers to people, "stand[ing] outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply. 'I do not know where you are from.'" So, God's going to deny us? Well, let's look that the reflection. There is no guarantee to entering the narrow gate - it is a choice that we make. We choose to follow Christ or not. If we consistently participate in the Eucharist and fully partake of God's messianic Food, we can be strengthened. As Living Liturgy 2013 says, "We must recline at the table with [Jesus], remain in his presence, and become transformed into his presence for others." The Gospel is alluding to the reality that if all we can claim is a passing acquaintance with Jesus, it will not be our 'get out free" card. So merely showing up, being on a first-name basis, and leaving Church at church is not enough!
At the beginning of a new semester, I witness a variety of behavior. Usually we have a strong attendance the first few weekends, and then distractions take over and priorities change. It seems to me that the overwhelming line of reasoning is this, "If I consider myself to be Christian, I'm in. Everything else is just bonus material." It's a good place to start, but the Gospel reminds us that we have to do more. And sometimes that 'more' is the boring, everyday stuff that we don't consider to be crucial to our salvation.
"Part of discipleship is to be faithful to the everyday "plodding" of our paschal journey. If we try and rush it, we will miss opportunities - graced moments which bring us closer to salvation. Discipleship requires consistent and faithful decisions so that Jesus gets to "know us" on the way." Living Liturgy 2013I love the imagery that puts me on the road with Jesus. If you are traveling a great distance with someone (without lots of gadgets to distract), you tend to get to know them. So, if we don't take the time to know Jesus through the Eucharist, to study Him in Scripture, and to live as Christ in our world, we aren't going to make it through that gate. It is when we purposefully journey with Jesus, even in the mundane and boring stuff of our every day lives, that we create a a bond which transforms us. It is in that transformation that we are able to enter the narrow gate.
Prayer - Lord, I am not a fan of tight spaces, and I am even less of a fan of suffering and pain. Help me release my human fears and trust completely in Your guidance. I want to be where You are, and I know that salvation is through the cross. Help me to carry my cross and follow You.
No comments:
Post a Comment