Monday, August 28, 2006
Memorial of Saint Augustine
Matthew 23:13-22
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.You traverse sea and land to make one convert,and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.
What on earth was Jesus getting at in this reading? He wasn't telling us today about our locked Churches was he? Or how even our Priest do not enter once the doors are closed for the day. But what does this reading have to do with us then?
We have our Masses, we are allowed to pay visits, when the doors are not locked. Is it their heart's then that are locked. We can not love others, as those of the world love. We are to give it only and without fail to God. We lock ourselves in, so no one can get near and disturb us and our prayers. Is this then what Jesus means about the Pharisees. Their hearts are closed to those who come near them with love from their hearts.
I have noticed on many occasions, the solitude and and the feeling of do not approach one of the cloth. Many times I always had the impression, of do not come near, from both sides. Is this what we have come to then, where only a select few are able to approach, particularly those who can offer greater assistance.
Is this what Jesus was warning us about, and how we ourselves do not enter and do not let others enter either. How can we enter the kingdom of heaven when we actually shut out many from seeing the kingdom of heaven within us. After all are we not the temple that God dwells in.
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4 comments:
Oh boy do I know where you're coming from!
Immediately following Mass, everyone runs up to grab Father's attention because it is the only time during the week that they get to see him, touch him, talk to him (unless, of course, you're a wealthy parishoner), which I affectionately refer to as "Paparazzi"
It's tough when your popular, but that doesn't always guarantee even those with wealth an audience. I had one person, who by the way has the wealth, complain about not being able to reach a Priest when they call, but was told that the Priest would get back to them, which this one mentioned did not. For some reason this came to mind when writing. Little did I know this also encompasses the lay people too, who are famous, or wealthy and seek to keep people away from them.
Not so in our community. Money talks, and wealth screams! Being poor, mendicant Franciscans, we are but inaudible whispers...
Unfortunate but how else would the Franciscans be able to afford the upkeep without the Talent of the brothers and those who can support with the wealth they have. It's nice that your community is in an area to have such help. While your community continue to remain as you say inaudible whispers. Then I must end with a note in favor of those who can to support those who cannot. So I pass the plate, to the next available person with the dough.
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