22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Sirach 3: 17-18, 20, 28-29
2. Psalms 68: 4-5, 6-7, 10-11
3. Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24a
4. Luke 14: 1, 7-14

• The value of atonement
• If we think back far enough, we can all think of things that we wish that we had not done, things that we wish that we had not said.  But God doesn't seem interested in erasing events in the past.  He would rather make use of them.
• How are you giving yourself away these days?
• Why do you do that?
• Do you think that the way that giving makes you feel is just a coincidence, maybe reward for being good, or could it be the Spirit guiding you?
• How do you think that plays with the old saying "no pain, no gain?"

• Generosity has a name, and that name is Yahweh
• For a great deal humanity, sustenance comes in flocks, herds, and crops.  When the land prospers, we all prosper.  When we learn to tend the land, rather than rape it, we leave our children a lasting legacy.
• How has God prospered you?
• Do you expect to hand any of that on to future generations?
• Why?

• Perfection at hand
• Do you think that everyone in heaven is perfect?
• What does that mean?
• Do you think that my perfection might look a little different than yours?
• How do you suppose we each find that perfection?
• Do we have to wait until we're dead?

• After you
• When I open the door for someone, I try to say to myself, "whatever errand you are about is probably more important than what I'm doing, so let me help you how I can."  That attitude helps me stay in touch with the humility of Jesus.
• Do you think it makes you any less when you defer to someone else?
• What do you think might "false humility" actually be?
• How do you know the difference between real humility and a fake?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How am I healing the damage that I have left behind in my life?
2. How am I sustaining the world around me?
3. What in my life is holding me back from perfection?
4. Where am I finding humility in my life today.

Our Dog Taught me Priorities

Our Guide Dog Puppy's name is Riker, from Star Trek Next Generation.
Life is pretty simple for him most days.
Breakfast as soon as he is out of bed in the mornings.
Followed by a trip out to the back yard to take care of business.

Steady supply of clear, cool water in his dish.
Someone around to talk to during the day, toys to play with,
A warm bed to sleep on at night,
And he's good.

One day, God willing, he'll be helping a blind person navigate.
And their needs are pretty simple too.
All they want is someone there to help them get around,
Whenever they need to get somewhere.

That someone has to be ready 7X24X365.
Faithful, loyal, ever attentive, ever alert.
The blind person's needs are pretty basic too.
It doesn't take much to make them happy either.

I think it's not about settling
So much as its about seeing clearly
And realizing what's really important in life
Before all of it, important or not, goes away.

I just hope that my vision clears soon.
So that I can see past the distractions in this life.
And maybe see what I've been missing out on
By having as much as I have.

Shalom!