“Obedient” by Phil Russell

“Obedient” by Phil Russell

+Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul +

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Piety

[He] humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 8-11

Study

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion?” Matthew 21:28-32

“Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” Ezekiel 18:25-28

Action

“…and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11

+ + +

Here is Jesus, the obedient one, yet again, asking the questions.

We are not too many weeks out from his question, “Who do you say that I am?”

Jesus, the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And he is still asking the questions of us.

Are we any closer to having the right answers for him?

But, alas, we are not so very different from our predecessors.

But today, it is our turn!

The Psalmist in today’s Psalm states, what should be our response to Jesus.

“Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my savior.” Psalm 25:4-5

Over and over, generation after generation, Jesus is still asking us the questions.

As I read and reread (Lectio Divina) and ponder this Sunday’s Scriptures the word, OBEDIENT, jumps out at me.

Today is the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, a humble, spirited, and faith-filled reformer of the Priesthood. One of his mentions is to that of obedience. By virtue of our Baptism, the Church and the Lord anoint us Prophet, Priest, and King.

For added Study, please take a look at Saint Vincent and his writings.

Saint Paul was another who came to know and understand obedience to God, to Jesus, through the Holy Spirit working in and with him.

Let’s “humbly regard others as more important than ourselves, each looking out not for his iinterests, but also those of others.” Saint Paul to the Philippians. (and to Us!)