Read Luke 6:17, 20-26
Jesus came down with the twelveand stood on a stretch of level groundwith a great crowd of his disciplesand a large number of the peoplefrom... Read More…
Meet Sister Marilyn Pechillo
Sr. Marilyn Pechillo grew up in Baltimore, MD and Stratford, CT. She met the SNDs in high school and entered Notre Dame in 1961. Read More…
Today’s readings offer and require a choice. They present strong contrasts and thus invite us to renew our Christian commitment. The gospel offers beatitudes and woes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit; woe to you who are rich . . .” In other words, our response to life’s reality can be blessed or happy if we live freely, knowing we are in God’s hands. On the other hand, we can grasp at our possessions, material or spiritual, and miss the beauty around us. It is our choice. It is the same with each contrast. Are we hungry, yearning for a deeper relationship with God and others? We will be satisfied. Or, are we filled, finding no need for God or others? We have choices and God’s help in making the right choice. The decision to look beyond our comfort and satisfaction will direct us to look at others and value our relationship with them. In giving love, we will not lose; we will be enriched. As we open to those who differ from us, we will grow in knowledge and love.
The first reading makes a similar point. We can trust God and bear much fruit, or we can live selfishly and dry up like a drought-stricken bush. St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians outlines our call to faith and invites us to believe in the resurrected Christ, the source of all our hope.
May we choose wisely, looking beyond what we see, looking at the reality of God in our lives.
