Live in a Manner Worthy of the Call

Live in a Manner Worthy of the Call

Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Piety

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  Ephesians 4:1-6

Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?  Luke 12:54-57

Study

The first reading helps illuminate the second. Jesus asks us to live according to the higher calling rather than according to our more primal instincts. He presents us with the dilemma: You know what is right.  Live that way.

Rather than going before a judge with a complaint, he encourages us to settle our differences with each other personally.  Not just the legal disputes…all disputes.

Action

I heard of a survey this week that had an amazing finding.  It found that more than 80 percent of Americans agree on one issue.  Unfortunately, that issue is that we are divided.  (Frankly, I would like to find the 19 percent who disagree with the finding. I want some of what they have.)

We do indeed know what is required.  We do not need a public opinion poll.  Micah told us.  Isiah told us.  Luke told us.  To be a Christian means that we must obey Christ's teachings. Not some of them.  Not only the ones that are convenient for us at the moment. 

Welcome the stranger.

Treat others as you would be treated.

Feed the hungry.

Give alms.

Shelter the homeless.

Clothe the poor.

Ask yourself: How can I better become the embodiment of Christ's teachings?