(PDF copy is attached for printing)
Five Important Spiritual Thoughts from the Liturgy of the Word
…and follow up for the Secular Franciscan
November 10 – November 16
1 — “Behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” (Lk 17:21)**
Extended meditation:
When Christian people are asked about
the most important thing that Jesus said while on earth, they usually refer to
virtues such as love, peace, forgiveness, etc.
But upon study of Jesus’s words, the most important image that Jesus
used was the image of the Kingdom of God.It seems that what Jesus wanted most of
all during his ministry here on earth is to establish this Kingdom of God. According to the Catechism, that Kingdom
refers to what will happen with we cooperate with the grace of the Spirit to
make everything holy in our society and culture, culminating in the eternal
life that Jesus promised.It did not work out that way, of
course, because of the opposition that Jesus faced during his ministry. But he did begin the process, and it has
continued over the ages to be known as the Church. It should be the Church’s goal to bring everyone
to cooperate with the Spirit, and consequently enjoy both a holy life here and
eternal life hereafter.But has the Church done that? And in particular have we cooperated in
bringing about such an end.This allegory about the Church should
lead us to understand our role a little more.On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks
often occur there was once a crude little lifesaving station. The building was
just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a
constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, went out day
and night tirelessly searching for the lost. This wonderful little station
saved many lives, so that it became famous.Some of those who were saved, and
various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the
station and give of their time and money for the support of its work. New boats
were bought and new crews trained. The little lifesaving station grew.Presently, some members became unhappy
that the building was so crude, so simple. Gradually, beds replaced cots and
good furniture appeared in the enlarged building.The station itself came to be decorated
beautifully, and was used as a club. The members became less interested in
going to sea on lifesaving missions, so lifeboat crews were hired to do that
work, especially when the people whose lives were saved were people who were
different from the people of the station.Soon, there was a split in the club
membership. Those members who wanted lifesaving to be its primary purpose were
voted down by the others. They were told that if they wanted to save lives,
they could begin their own station down the coast—which they did.As the years went by, the new station
experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a
club, and yet another lifesaving station was founded.History continued to repeat itself, and if
you visit the seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along
the shore.Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, but
most of the people drown.We are part of the Kingdom of God, the “life-saving station”
that Jesus established. Perhaps we should be better “life-savers” than we are.
2
– “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8)**…How strong is my faith?
3
— “Lord, please let me see.” (Lk 18:41)**…What should I see in the sense of what the Lord wants for me to understand in my life?
4 – “Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God
almighty.’” (Rev 4:8)…Do I spend time of praise to God, for example, for creation, for my living, for the great things in my life?
5 – “‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very
small matter.’” (Lk 19:17)…Am I as faithful as I should be in my spiritual activities?
