B
BarbaraTherese
Guest
The reading today I think is a plan for life and with a promise and one by God. The Psalm goes on to speak about the fruit of such a life and Jesus in the Gospel ratifies this: "But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” …or “by their fruits you will know them”. The Gospel also I think points out that it can be almost to actually impossible to please everyone and that our motives can indeed be misinterpreted…known in spiritual terminology as a “humiliation and a cross”. There is a balance needed in spirituality I think, however, that only The Holy Spirit can grant, as sometimes for some reason we may need to speak up for ourselves, as indeed Jesus is doing in this Gospel.
I though the meditation today was really excellent and important and is really about detachment - about not owning anything in our lives whatsoever rather to realize and with joy that they are God’s to do with as He wishes - and even our spiritual goods.
Sometimes I can read a mediation and thing “oh yeah, well ok” and at other times it can really strike me in some way. This is simply a “dance step” in the dance of life as the meditation points out.
**All Mass Readings **
http://www.usccb.org/nab/121407.shtml
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=12&day=14&year=2007&x=11&y=8
“I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good,” proclaims the prophet, “and lead you on the way you should go.” Then he adds wistfully, “If [only] you would hearken to my commandments” (Isaiah 48:17-18).
We can see the same kind of wishful sadness in Jesus’ description of the way people had reacted to John the Baptist and himself. Like children who find an excuse to stand back from any game their playmates propose, many of the people of Israel refused to mourn with John the Baptist, or feast with Jesus. Perhaps some of them had adopted John’s austerity as a way of atoning for their sins. This was a legitimate response to God, but they got stuck there and began criticizing Jesus for his apparent disregard for penance. As a result, they turned a deaf ear to his kingdom message.
The truth is, the Holy Spirit promises to lead us moment by moment, but he does not promise to lead us in the same way all the time. Often we miss the new thing God is doing today because we are so impressed with what he did yesterday. Corporate worship used to be so powerful; how can he be nudging me now to spend time in silent prayer? I loved teaching small children; how could I step out of my comfort zone and work with adults searching for faith?
A good dance partner must make many accommodations. Sometimes the music speeds up or slows down, and she must follow her escort’s lead into a different dance step. Sometimes the dance floor gets crowded, and he must maneuver them out of a tight spot. Sometimes he will delight her with a dip or turn, or guide her toward the punchbowl for some refreshment. It’s never the exact same dance twice in a row.
On the dance floor of life, there are times for us to settle down and get serious—and there are times when we should lighten up and take a break. There are times for spontaneity and times for discipline and fidelity to routines. There are times to savor the moment and times to move on to something new.
Let’s be attentive to the Holy Spirit and invite him to lead us step by step. “Holy Spirit, I surrender my desire to lead. Open my heart and eyes so that I can dance at your pace.”
I though the meditation today was really excellent and important and is really about detachment - about not owning anything in our lives whatsoever rather to realize and with joy that they are God’s to do with as He wishes - and even our spiritual goods.
Sometimes I can read a mediation and thing “oh yeah, well ok” and at other times it can really strike me in some way. This is simply a “dance step” in the dance of life as the meditation points out.
**All Mass Readings **
http://www.usccb.org/nab/121407.shtml
Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=12&day=14&year=2007&x=11&y=8
“I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good,” proclaims the prophet, “and lead you on the way you should go.” Then he adds wistfully, “If [only] you would hearken to my commandments” (Isaiah 48:17-18).
We can see the same kind of wishful sadness in Jesus’ description of the way people had reacted to John the Baptist and himself. Like children who find an excuse to stand back from any game their playmates propose, many of the people of Israel refused to mourn with John the Baptist, or feast with Jesus. Perhaps some of them had adopted John’s austerity as a way of atoning for their sins. This was a legitimate response to God, but they got stuck there and began criticizing Jesus for his apparent disregard for penance. As a result, they turned a deaf ear to his kingdom message.
The truth is, the Holy Spirit promises to lead us moment by moment, but he does not promise to lead us in the same way all the time. Often we miss the new thing God is doing today because we are so impressed with what he did yesterday. Corporate worship used to be so powerful; how can he be nudging me now to spend time in silent prayer? I loved teaching small children; how could I step out of my comfort zone and work with adults searching for faith?
A good dance partner must make many accommodations. Sometimes the music speeds up or slows down, and she must follow her escort’s lead into a different dance step. Sometimes the dance floor gets crowded, and he must maneuver them out of a tight spot. Sometimes he will delight her with a dip or turn, or guide her toward the punchbowl for some refreshment. It’s never the exact same dance twice in a row.
On the dance floor of life, there are times for us to settle down and get serious—and there are times when we should lighten up and take a break. There are times for spontaneity and times for discipline and fidelity to routines. There are times to savor the moment and times to move on to something new.
Let’s be attentive to the Holy Spirit and invite him to lead us step by step. “Holy Spirit, I surrender my desire to lead. Open my heart and eyes so that I can dance at your pace.”
