Greetings on this the Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ezekiel 24:15-23; Deuteronomy 32:18-19, 20, 21; Matthew 19:16-22
Summary
How many of you have been a part of the Strategic Planning for your company? Or sat through the annual All Employee meeting to find out the goals for the next fiscal year?
- The goals are laid out – near term, mid-year and End of Year metrics.
- The implementation is set forth – close business lines, open business lines and introduce new products.
- The policy and procedures follow – the rules in which we engage in the implementation of the goals.
In our first reading today, Ezekiel reminds us that life doesn’t go according to our plans. Plan all you want and life will surprise you every time.
The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, by a sudden blow I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes (Ez 24:15-16).
The warning was not arbitrary. Ezekiel’s personal loss becomes a sign of the consequences of a disobedience already baked into the life of the people. The kind of disobedience that is like a Strategic Plan gone wrong.
Reflection
In our gospel portion today, The Rich Young Man, he was working on his Strategic Plan. His plan already covered good behavior toward his fellow man. But he knew, it was missing something. You have forgotten God who gave you birth. (Deut 32:18a). God wasn’t in the plans but he didn’t realize it.
Of the two instructions Jesus gave him, (1) “go, sell what you have and give to the poor“; and (2) “Then come, follow me” were given in sequence not by necessity but by frame of reference. He was stuck in planning mode and Jesus answered him in planning mode. Following is the key goal. Timing of the dispossession of other things is an implementation.
Borrowing from the gospel of Mark: Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing (Mk 10:21). In the end, that one thing is ME.
Our canticle gives us the deeper meaning of Jesus’ response.
You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you. You forgot the God who gave you birth (Deut 32:18).
Personal Reflection
Before we start the day today, let us not forget who made us. Let us not lack the one thing we need to be ‘perfect’. Jesus, who is. God has the right Strategic Plan.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081726.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry