18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15
2. Psalms 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
3. Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24
4. John 6: 24-35

1. What is it?
• In the Exodus passage 16: 5-11 we read that the Israelites were not to store up any manna from one day to the next, that the manna was literally to be "their daily bread".  Do you think that God gave that to them daily because no one had invented 401K plans yet?
• These days, we have so many ways to hedge ourselves financially with various sorts of insurance.  Some would argue that insurance is intrinsically just gambling dressed up.  What do you think?
• Is there any limit to the trust that we are to put in God?
• How is that trust expressed?
2. Why is it?
• Did God send the Israelites manna in the desert because He was afraid for his servant Moses?
• Maybe it was to teach the Israelites to trust (too bad that everyone who ate the manna in the desert died out there)?
• He didn't want them distracted from the lessons that He wanted to teach them by their want.
• God's just naturally generous.
• What do you think?
3. Renewal
• A renewal is a re founding, a returning to something lost.  Often, that return is not to the same state that had been left behind, but a case of finding new expression for something old and forgotten.  What would you like to renew about your faith personally?
• Do you feel that your family could use some renewal?
• How about our parish?
• Where do we start?
4. The work of God
• One definition of work is "generative activity that builds, constructs, creates new things by combining existing ingredients in new ways for a stated purpose."  What are you working on these days?
• I'm sure I've used this story before, but here goes: "A visitor to Rome once noticed a building under construction.  Being new to the city, he walked up to one of the workers and asked them what they were doing.  The worker proudly said that he was chiseling fine granite blocks that would fit together perfectly to form the walls.  Informed, but unsatisfied, the visitor saw another worker, with drawings spread out in front of him.  This person was directing workers and was obviously in a position of authority.  The visitor put the same question to him.  The worker said that he was a foreman, directing the construction of an building that would stand for centuries, and be a silent witness to the genius of the architect, and the hard work of the builders.  More informed, and more frustrated, the visitor was just about to leave when he saw an old woman sweeping up the scraps of stone left over from the chiseling, and clearing away the dust from the construction.  He asked her what she was doing, and she slowly straightened up from her labors, got a far off look in her haggard face, and said 'I am building a cathedral.'"  Which of them knew best what they were working on?
• Some occupations are easy to see the hand of God in - certainly priests and religious, social workers, teachers, what about your profession?
• How did you get into the work that you're doing today?
• Is that a good enough reason to stay?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What am I grumbling about today?
2. How has God provided for me in the past?
3. How do I keep my desires into their proper place, prevent them from becoming disordered?
4. Am I willing to receive abundance from God on God's terms, or mine?

This is no Picnic for me Either

Lord, me again.
Pretty much everything is done for the day.
The flocks have been brought in, camp is pitched, everyone is in their tent.
I thought it would be good for you and me to have a talk.

When I said that I wanted to help your children,
I don't remember getting any say in how that was going to pan out.
If you had bothered to ask, I might have told you that I'm a really good accountant.
There in Pharaoh's court they taught me how to keep track of resources, coming and going.

Instead, you asked me to get out of my comfort zone,
Get out in front of the mighty Pharaoh
And then, lead this cranky group of whiners through the desert,
To what?  My GPS is shot out here, I have no idea where we're going.

Just once,
I'd like to walk into a situation and feel as though I'm bringing something to the table.
Some part of my past, my makeup that will actually be of use.
Instead, you keep putting me into situations where I feel lost and adrift.

If this is some sort of punishment, I have to say you're being really thorough.
How will I know when you're done?
On the other hand, if you're trying to form me into someone else,
Would you mind telling me what that new Moses will look like, so I recognize him?

Thanks for the breeze just now, that is refreshing.
The stars look so close I feel as though I could touch them.
And, every once in awhile, I see families helping each other
As we make our way through this wasteland.

Help me to be more grateful,
Give me greater trust,
Help me to see everything that you give us, large and small,
And help me find fulfillment in this crazy job that you've given me.

Goodnight God.  Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, I can feel it.

Shalom!