September 19, 2009
Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord. 1 Timothy 6:14
But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance. Luke 8:15
Piety
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; worship the LORD with cries of gladness; come before him with joyful song. Know that the LORD is God, our maker to whom we belong, whose people we are, God's well-tended flock. Enter the temple gates with praise, its courts with thanksgiving. Give thanks to God, bless his name; good indeed is the LORD, Whose love endures forever, whose faithfulness lasts through every age. (Psalm 100)
Study
We hear an echo of the same psalm (100) in today’s Mass which was prayed just two weeks ago. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Once again, we are the recipient’s of a Holy Invitation. Now that we the Holy Spirit has delivered the invitation, how will we submit our RSVP to the Lord? What seed will our response reflect?
Will we be like the seed that fell on the path and was trampled or eaten by the birds?
Will we be like the seed that fell on rocky ground and withered for lack of moisture?
Will we be like the seed that fell among thorns and was choked to death?
Or, will we accept this invitation to grow in the presence of the Lord like the seed that fell on good soil?
These seeds will become “those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8:21). This same concept of listening and action is included in the conclusion of Timothy’s letter: Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life. 1 Timothy 17-19
Action
Listen, as St. Benedict says, with the ear of your heart. What invitation is the Lord delivering to you?
Today, Scripture continues to remind us that there is a big difference between idle listening and listening which impels us to act out the actions manifest in Jesus’ teaching.
How will you engage the invitation?
