Greetings on this the Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Malachi 3:13-20b; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Luke 11:5-13
Summary
This time of year, just before the new Liturgical Year begins, we do a sort of reset. A return to the basics.
From the prophet Luke 11:5-13 we get the Final Judgment.
For the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble, And the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice will arise with healing in its wings. (Mal 3:19-20).
From the Psalmist (Psalm 1) The Way of the Righteous
Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night (PS 1:1-2).
From the Gospel portion today: What does it mean to be a friend?
And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? (LK 11:9-10, 13).
Reflection
One of the best ways to understand the divine is to appreciate what it means to be in friendship. Do you have friends? What do you account friendship to be and how do friends act?
The answer is realtively basis – do no evil, seek justice, and answer those in need regardless of the inconvenience of time, space and resource.
The Lord is your Father-friend. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
Personal Reflection
Perhaps I can rethink how I account for friendship by monitoring my responses when it is inconvenient or costly. Am I like a father-friend? Or do I deny like the example in the gospel portion: with snake and scorpion; and the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.
How I am as father-friend is in direct relation to how I see the Lord.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Friendships are a good thing!