Weekly Readings Reflections: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 32^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

Wisdom is not something that you're likely to put on your resume, but I'm sure that a healthy dose of wisdom is a great help no matter where you go.
When you feel the need for a greater wisdom than you have at the moment, where do you go?
How well has that worked for you over the years?
How do you know whether an idea/impression/action is truly wise or not?
What have been the benefits of seeking wisdom in your life?
What has it cost you to seek wisdom?

It can be hard to be kind to someone, particularly if they have many needs and/or are needy. Extending a kindness towards them will likely encourage them to seek you out again, and again, ... to help them cope. Yet our God is kind, and He calls us to be more like him in all of His ways.
How are some ways that you have been kind to another?
What was the fruit of that kindness? Were the results what you expected/hoped for?
Would you be that kind and kind in that way again?

Certainly one incentive to be mindful of our actions is that we'll eventually get to see our whole life when we stand before God at our death. But increasingly, I am mindful that there are all of those who have gone on before me, who are "rooting for me" as I go about my life. I don't want to disappoint them.
Who are some of those "silent witnesses" that have gone ahead of you that you look up to?
What do you think they might say to you today if you were able to still see them?
How might they encourage and console you in what you're going through now?
What would you ask them to pray for?

Uncertainty about the future calls for patience and courage. Patience to allow God's plan to unfold on His schedule not ours, no matter how urgent our needs and desires seem to be. Courage to take the right action at the right time. In some ways, we are always in training, and at the same time always on mission. Each decision the culmination of all that has gone before, and the foundation on which the rest of our lives will be built.
In what ways do you think that God has made you a better person of late?
How has that holiness helped you with recent challenges?
What are some of the ways that an experience/challenge/trial helped prepare you for new challenges that you didn't see coming?
If you had more time, energy, ... what would you do to better prepare yourself for what lies ahead of you?

How might I better seek wisdom in my life?
Where do I need the courage to be kind?
How can I bring more joy to those that I love who have gone before me?
How might God use what I'm going through right now for my benefit in the future?

A Helping Hand

The only thing worse than seeing someone making bad choices for no good reason

Is having them make those bad choices in spite of the wisdom that you tried to impart.

Helping a loved one "see the light" calls for humility, patience, and indifference.

The sure knowledge that you are called to be a light, regardless the consequences.

That other person may not be able to see something in their life that's clear as day.

But they can spot pride in you from a mile away.

And I'm sure that patience is a fragile virtue indeed.

Given how easy it is to lose it when you need it the most.

But the world that we find ourselves in longs for wisdom.

Even though you will hardly ever hear someone say those words.

Instead, they will blame circumstances beyond their control,

Or thoughtless, selfish other people who don't know how to behave.

Leaving you to grind your teeth in frustration.

While you learn humility, patience, and indifference.

Those foolish ones who are such challenges.

Are a blessing well disguised.

They help us learn a wisdom that we need.

While we hope to give them wisdom that they need.

Lord, help me find the courage to thank you for the difficult people in my life.

Help me to embrace them unconditionally.

That I might be Your Presence to just one person today.

And so fulfill my destiny.

Shalom!

Weekly Readings Reflections