33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Daniel 12: 1-3
2. Psalms 16, 5, 8, 9-10, 11
3. Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18
4. Mark 13: 24-32

1. It isn't easy being wise
• In our culture, wise men and women are often dismissed as cranks, someone who, for one reason or another, refuse to "fit in".  Sometimes the wise person is vindicated during their life time, more often, it's not until after they are gone that appreciation for their far-seeing begins to accumulate.
• What does that tell you about wisdom in general?
• Do you think that we are all called to be a Richard Rohr or a Matthew Kelly, Mother Theresa or Burnadette Farrel, or can we leave that sort of thing to those who seem to be called to dedicating their life to the pursuit of wisdom?
• Is there such a thing as too many wise men and women?
2. I somehow thought joy would be happier
• The joy of the Lord sounds like a simple enough thing, but I've heard it defined as a deep rejoicing in God, in spite of whatever trials we might be facing.  Come again?  You mean to tell me that if I had the joy of the Lord I could still be happy even if my fantasy football team is having a lousy season???
• Where do you think the joy of the Lord comes from?
• Is it pure gift, do we work at it, do we have to be open to it?
• How important is this joy?
• What does it mean that it's a fruit of the spirit?
3. Wash, rinse repeat, sin, confess repeat?
• For those of you too young to remember, shampoo bottles used to have directions that said "wash, rinse, repeat" on them.  Speculation was that someone who wasn't properly equipped mentally could end up spending a long time in the shower with an apparently infinite loop.  You know who you are, no need to confess.
• If Jesus' sacrifice was once for all, why is it that we keep sinning?
• Worse, if we're supposed to be victors in Christ, why is it that we often fall into the same sins over and over again?  For my part, I could use some more variety.
4. The more things change, the more they stay the same
• What will be different after Jesus comes again?
• What will still be the same?
• What does it really mean to be on a pilgrimage through life?
• How can we better remind ourselves and each other of what's really important?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I willing to be misunderstood, or worse, dismissed for my values?
2. If God is all that I have to look forward to in eternity, is that enough for me?
3. How am I changing my habits to help me draw closer to God?
4. What am I doing to help me focus on the eternal?

My Days are Numbered, I Just Don't Know the Number

Sometimes, as a means of centering yourself, it helps to answer some questions:
If I knew that I was going to die tomorrow, what would I do today?
If I knew that I was going to die in a year, how would I live that year?
Such questions help sift the important from the not so important.

At my age, the occasional thought crosses my mind to ask about legacy.
What will I be leaving behind when I go, what continuity will there be?
Living on in the memory of loved ones is fine as far as it goes,
But something of more substance would certainly be nice as well.

But that question begs another, deeper question.
As a community, a people, a race, what is it that we want to leave behind?
If all of this is going to pass away, our monuments, our cities,
What of eternal value are we building today, that will be there in eternity?

For just as each of us is appointed to die
So too is this age that we are in, and all of the accessories that come with it.
I firmly believe that when we all gather in the heart of God,
All of us will completely understand ourselves and each other.

I think those memories are going to bring a lot of tears, a lot of consolation,
Discoveries like the fact that Uncle Jack used to whittle so much
Because it reminded him of time that he spent with a beloved grandfather
Will give us something to rejoice over and appreciate well into eternity.

From that vantage point, looking back on today, I'm going to venture
That kindness and mercy are probably the best way to live now
So that there are fewer regrets, self-recrimination later.
Because the memories of what we do today are going to be there a long long time.

Shalom!