Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot
Joseph’s brothers said to one another: “Alas, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, and yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us.” (Genesis 42:21)
“Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, ‘Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”’” (Matthew 10:5-7)
Lord, let me remember that the kingdom of heaven is indeed at hand for me and my brothers and sisters. May my thoughts and actions be worthy of the faith and love you have in me.
http://www.usccb.org/nab/071107.shtml
The reading from Matthew today identifies by the Twelve, and shares what they are to do. Here, Jesus instructs them to share with Israel the proclamation that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Later, he extends their evangelization to all who accept his teaching.
Why did Jesus have the Apostles begin with their own community? There’s a saying in the writing world: “Write what you know.” That is, if you’re a K Street lobbyist specializing in environmental strategy who doesn’t have kids, you’re less likely to have success writing a children’s picture book than someone who’s a teacher or who has toddlers. Perhaps Jesus saw things the same way, and therefore the Apostles’ journeys began among people who were more like than unlike them, people with whom they had common heritage, faith, and interests.
We are not always quick to evangelize or be kind to those closest to us. The Old Testament reading today shares the story of Joseph, who has been assigned to ration foodstuffs during the famine. He recognizes the brothers who first put him into a cistern and then sold him into bondage, but they do not recognize him. He puts the eleven of them into a guardhouse, with the promise if they can produce their youngest brother, only one of them will be punished. Finally, they realize the error of their ways, that their lack of compassion for Joseph “is why this anguish has now come upon us.” When Joseph hears their words, he turns away and weeps—just as God weeps when we fail to live his Word and carry his message to others, especially to the ones most likely to listen.
Saint Benedict is called the founder of western Christian monasticism in no small part due to the Benedictine Rule, considered one of Western civilization’s most influential documents. While some of the Rule’s seventy-plus chapters are specific to monastic life, many apply to Christian life in general. Check out the seventy-two items in Chapter 4, “What Are the Instruments of Good Works” (http://www.osb.org/rb/text/rbejms2.html and http://www.osb.org/rb/text/rbejms3.html). Begin each of the next six days by striving to live by twelve of the tools, and compare where you are on your spiritual journey then vs. where you are today.
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