But God Knows Your Hearts

November 7, 2009

Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen. Romans 16:25-27

And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15

Piety

Eyes on The Prize

Paul and Silas bound in jail had no money for to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Paul and Silas thought they was lost dungeon shook and the chains come off
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Freedom's name is mighty sweet and soon we're gonna meet
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

I got my hand on the gospel plow won't take nothing for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Only chain that a man can stand is that chain o' hand on hand
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

I'm gonna board that big greyhound carry the love from town to town
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Study

“Keep your eyes on the prize. Hold on!”

When you are sitting in the living room at the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House during one of the monthly Clarification of Thought sessions, Art Laffin will quietly amble into the room and lead prayer and song before beginning to focus on the topic of the night. The topics are challenging to Christians living in a modern world:

• Opening our eyes to issues driven by immigration policies that do not welcome the strangers as the Bible commands

• Rethinking what is happening in Afghanistan through nonviolent witness calling for an end to the wars, an end to drone attacks in Pakistan, and for the closing of Guantanamo & Bagram prisons.

• Hearing the cry of 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows

• Teaching nonviolence to youth in a time of war

After considering these or other topics offered by an array of guest speakers, softly (Art does not speak or sing any other way) the refrain begins to flow from his lips, “Keep your eyes on the prize. Hold on!”

That song and today’s readings remind us that our eyes can not focus in two directions. They both point forward in one direction – the same direction. That is what echoes from Romans today. Obedience in faith directed toward the same mystery – our justification and salvation accomplished through faith, with all the implications for the actions we are then required to undertake. Keep your eyes on the prize. Hold on.

Keeping our eyes on the prize stops our eyes from straying in another direction. St. Paul’s litany of greetings shows the unity of Jews and Gentiles that challenged his contemporaries who viewed Gentiles or Samaritans or Romans with disdain. St. Paul not only welcomes the former strangers, he celebrates their contributions to the holy work of the early Church. These foreigners had their eyes on the same prize as the early Christians.

What was true in the first century is true today. There is so much work to do. There may even be too much work to do. We need all hands to accomplish it. Not only Jewish hands. Not only American hands. Not only Catholic hands.

Too often we try to act with prudence rather than with justice. Rather than making economic sense, we must try to make Gospel sense of our responsibilities. That is why Jesus says we can not serve two masters. We can not focus on two prizes.

Maybe we can fool ourselves as we pad our 401 K accounts while forgetting to fill the collection basket on Sunday or responding to charity appeals and requests for volunteers. After all, you need that extra $20 more than the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Or the missionaries working in Central America. Or the retired and aged religious. Everyone else will fill the basket. My coins can go into my bank and will not be missed. No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other (Luke 16:13).

Action

Looking to fill the collection basket or make a charitable gift as we approach the holiday season? On www.charitynavigator.org, you can find this list of Catholic not-for-profit organizations which received a “four-star” rating. Peruse the list. Look at other organizations to find one you would like to support this year. Make a sustaining gift or pledge to the organization a set amount every month.