Comfortably Miserable

Greetings on this the Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 COR 4:1-5; PS 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40; LK 5:33-39

Poor Judgment

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
–Shakespeare

Summary

In our readings today Saint Paul encourages us to avoid unnecessary judgment – about ourselves or others. Assume all things with a bias of generosity. In our gospel portion today, Jesus laments And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” in reference to the resistance to accepting the Good News.

How tragic to accept the inferior in light of the superior even as we have grown comfortable in our misery.

Reflection

Here is an outline of the Human development expected for seminarians at Saint John’s Seminary in Boston. A good list for all.

Self-knowledge and acceptance. With regard to self-knowledge and acceptance, the candidate should know realistically who he is: his talents and limitations, his strengths and weaknesses. He should understand clearly the influences which have shaped his personal and psychosexual development, including his family origin, significant friendships, and working relationships. He should give evidence of honesty, security, and a genuine humility in the way he presents himself and sees himself in relation to his peers, his elders, and those younger than himself.

Inner freedom. With regard to inner freedom, the candidate should display an appropriate level of self-control and discipline in the way he manages his time, his needs and desires, and in the way he responds to the demands which others make upon him in the many roles he will exercise in ministry. He should recognize the many motives and impulses that might shape his thoughts, speech, and actions, and be able to choose consistently the highest good as the principal motivation for his decisions.

Emotional balance. With regard to emotional balance, the candidate should have achieved an overall calm, self-possessed demeanor through a variety of situations in which he finds himself. He should be able to deal patiently and prudently with all the human feelings he meets in himself and in others; for instance, anger, sadness, and sexual desire. He should exhibit joy and good humor, empathy, and sensitivity to the feelings of others. He should have found an appropriate, regular place in his life for rest, relaxation, and recreation.

He should deal well with the ambiguities and complexities of life, without compromising his beliefs and moral values.

Self-donation. With regard to self-donation, the candidate should show that he can give himself fully and consistently to the work he is called to do, to both the areas of ministry he enjoys and welcomes and those which he finds difficult and tedious. He should give evidence of being a man for others, a person who can sacrifice his own personal likes and dislikes for the sake of the Gospel and for the good of the individual or the community he is serving. He should be able to sustain good, close friendships with men and women that support both his vocational commitment and theirs.

Source: https://www.sjs.edu/the-goals-and-objectives-of-the-seminary-human-formation-program

Personal Reflection

From the story of Martha and Mary, There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her (LK 10:42).

Sacred Readings

Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090624.cfm

First Reading

Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.

Responsorial

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel

Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry