Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; Psalm 116:12-13, 17-18; Luke 6:43-49
Summary
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks (Lk 6:45).
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
(PS 116:12-13)
Reflection
Is this a thing where you live? Storage shed rentals. They are everywhere!
It’s a very useful tool in managing change (moving transitions, home renovations, temporary expansion of quantity of material goods, kids – not to store the kids (tee hee) but to have space for their stuff).
What’s in your storage unit?
What’s in the Storehouse of your heart?
That is the question of today’s gospel portion and the effect of what we hold onto. What you store is what you give. I’m not sure if you have ever experienced this, but things kept in storage that shouldn’t be usually degrades, rots and get moldy. Just saying. Even the good the Lord gives us, not shared, becomes less than what was given.
It is inevitable.
Personal Reflection
- On a practical basis, if you want to think of this reflection as a call to charity, empty the rental, sell the goods, give the proceeds to the poor. Save the rent.
- On a personal-growth perspective, assess what you treasure and determine if it is true treasure or the remains of the good broken into resentment and regret? Resentment and regret can be spoiled remnants of something once good.
But in gratitude is the best pathway forward.
- In gratitude, give things away.
- In gratitude, replace in the storehouse of your heart the good things the Lord has given you: love, compassion, and community.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him (Jn 14:23).
Let’s fill our storehouse with love which always refill as we share it and put in the dumpster the trash we pay to keep.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091226.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry