Be Considered Worthy

August 27, 2012

Memorial of St. Monica

This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering.  2 Thessalonians 1:5

One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it."  Matthew 23:20-22

Piety

Father, in order to pursue a relationship with you, help us to leave behind the comfort zone in which we want to remain.  Jesus, help us to take up our cross daily to follow you.  With the gifts granted by the Holy Spirit, may we cultivate a relationship built on a life worthy of gaining the Kingdom. Amen.

Study

The great jazz musician Herbie Hancock once said, You would not exist if you did not have something to bring to the table of life.

The essence of the first reading today brings that out.  Sometimes, in our pampering and self-indulgence, we seek out the easy path.  That path is not the one that we necessarily must travel.  Sometimes, the path of suffering is the path that we must travel in order to be worthy of the Kingdom of God and to bring others along with us on that journey.

Such silent suffering is in stark contrast to the flashy, misguided example of the Pharisees that Jesus addresses in the Gospel.  He accuses them of not being authentic in their message or their mission. 

Action

Meditate on the difference between value and worth.  Just a few months ago, the financial markets put great value on the initial public offering from Facebook.  But in about 100 days, that stock has plunged to less than half of that price – losing scores of investors a lot of money.

When we stand before the proverbial gates of heaven, St. Peter will not be checking out how many share of Facebook, or Apple, or Microsoft was in our portfolio.  The pursuit of the Kingdom is not the pursuit of financial gain. 

At the end of the Rosary, one of the concluding prayers asks for us to imitate what it contains and obtain what it promises.  The rosary contains joy that brings life but also suffering that leads to glory.   What will you do today that is worthy of the promises of Christ?