This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord,” says the psalm of today. And the readings point out some of the key areas where we need that instruction.
The message from the brief second reading from 1 Corinthians teaches us the Lord’s ways in an area too seldom heeded by Christians of today. The reading explains how we must live in the world, and make use of it for what it is worth, but NOT drink deeply of it in an attempt for satisfaction–for the world is passing away so quickly, that (so to speak) it is as good as gone already.
We panic because of fear of socialism, we panic because of fear of fascism, we panic over fear of illness–we have a duty to build a society that is just as possible, but we panic too much because we are not heeding this message from today’s second reading. One thing is to get involved productively in politics. It is quite another to lose our serenity over it. “For the world in its present form is passing away.”
In the first reading, Jonah proclaims repentance to the Ninevites, and they repent. Well may we repent for focusing excessively on worldly goods and ills, without the peace and serenity that come from knowing that we are in the hand of Providence even more truly than we are treading on terra firma.
And today’s gospel affirms the message: “The kingdom of God is at hand.”
As people of the world, even good people, sell their souls in political rage and worldly pursuits of satisfaction, let us focus on that which doesn’t pass: God’s total gift of self to us, and ours to Him in gratitude.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Tell Jesus again that you give Him yourself, your whole self, with all your imperfections and all your loving effort to be more like Him. And, give Him that gift that He especially treasures: The gift of your trust. Tell Him that you trust in Him completely, as Lord of time, history, and the universe, to provide for you and for the world itself, despite the chaos and madness we sometimes perceive around us.
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