September 20, 2010
Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegŏn, priest and martyr, and Saint Paul Chŏng Hasang, martyr, and their companions, martyrs
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once. Proverb 3:27-28
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:16-17
Piety
LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain?
Whoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart; Who does not slander a neighbor, does no harm to another, never defames a friend; Who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the LORD; Who keeps an oath despite the cost, lends no money at interest, accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever acts like this shall never be shaken. Psalm 15:1b-5
Study
Who, indeed, may dwell on the mountain of the Lord?
Actually, one answer may be no one. No one may dwell on the mountain of the Lord. Think about the mystery of the Transfiguration. When Jesus appeared to his three beloved disciples with Moses and Elijah, Peter wanted to erect three tents for them. But the Lord said no. Now was not the time to be separated from the community, dwelling on the mountain.
Ministry meant then and means today that we must minister within the community, among the children of the light, and reach out to those who have not yet accepted the light.
Luke furthers this by sharing Jesus’ explanation that we must not light a lamp and put it under a bushel.
Action
Today is the day that we must be fully present to those around us. We must be among them to respond to their needs. Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. As the writer of Proverbs urges, “Give at once.”
Too often we are weighing the pros and cons, the pluses and minuses. Fuhgeddaboudit. Give now. Despite the cost. The martyrs we honor today did not analyze the pluses and minuses before they picked up their cross daily to follow Jesus.
Is there a charity or cause to which you have been meaning to send a contribution? Don’t let the sun set on today without putting a check in the mail or sending a payment via your favorite electronic means.
