Follow Me

July 2, 2012

Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Thus says the LORD: For three crimes of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke my word; Because they sell the just man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals.  They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way.  Amos 2:6-7a

A scribe approached and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."  Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."  Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."  But Jesus answered him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead."  Matthew 8:19-22

Piety

Father, guide me as I set my priorities for today.  Let me focus not on my agenda and to do list but rather upon all that you require.  Amen.

Study

No matter what we do – sins of commission or sins of omission – the Lord does not waver.  In our First Reading, despite the sins commmitted by the people, the Lord pledges not to revoke his Word.  The covenant will endure no matter what sins we commit.

As we move into the Gospel, we see that the road to heaven is paved with good intentions even if we do not follow through.  Even if we are focused upon the needs of people in this world over the commandments in the Gospel, the Lord will continue to provide.  Matthew does not show us a litany of evils acts.  However, we hear of two cases in which people are preoccupied with items on their own agenda, rather than what the Lord commands.   There is only one mission – to follow the Lord in our every act. 

Action

Review your list of work to accomplish today.  On it you will see chores for home, tasks for work, and support for your family and friends.  However, do you also see how you will PLAN to accomplish your daily tripod of piety, study and action?  Our work is not accidental.  Our work is intentional.  Practice writing down what your spiritual plan is for the week and the month as well as you personal and career plans.

As we enter into the second half of the year, think back to your New Year’s Resolutions.  Revisit what is on that list and assess how you are doing in accomplishing those tasks.  Is your spiritual plan represented on that list as well?  If not, make a mid-year course correction and add some resolutions for piety, study and action.