August 04, 2013

Colossians 3: 1-5. 9-11

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all! New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations

Generosity and Courage

In this weekend’s readings we confront the natural urge to hang on to all those “things” in our lives that we know we just “gotta have.”  And we build bigger closets and larger garages to keep all our personal treasures safe. The news this summer has been filled with all kinds of disasters – tornadoes and floods, a major bridge collapse, the ongoing rebuilding in Oklahoma and elsewhere.  In these tough situations people suddenly lose homes, possessions, their very lives.  Further— as these stories unfold we learn about the human courage of first responders, generous neighbors, strangers who assist with both money and muscle long after the headlines have faded. All this personal generosity reminds us of the basic goodness of humanity.  Which invites us to take to heart the words St. Paul addressed to the Colossians centuries ago:  “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above…not just what is on earth.  When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” What personal “stuff” do I cling to?  What does “life with the Lord” look like for me this week? —The Jesuit Prayer Team

Prayer

Father, we gather in your presence in prayer and praise. We thank you for our health and happiness, for forgiveness and healing, for our
talents, and for our friends. We thank you for the wonderful world you have given us to explore and to use to your greater glory. We thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ, your Son, who died that we might have life and live it to the full.

Send your Spirit to accompany us on our daily journey. Give us wisdom that we may find you in all things. Give us understanding that we may learn our lessons well. Give us compassion that we may show your face to those we meet.

Give us generosity that we may share the gifts you have given us. Give us faith that we may have confidence in ourselves. Above all give us love that we may bring joy into the lives of those around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Adrian Porter SJ

Please share the Good Word with your friends!