This week's reflection
SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND GENEROSITY
There is a great deal said here in today’s readings about institutional arrogance and communities built on elitism. What matters, particularly when it comes to the invitation from God in the person of Jesus, is what people do and how they interact with other people. If people are doing wonderful things that draw people to God, then God’s Spirit is at work in them. A lot of the actions that indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit are simple things like offering a cup of water to someone who is thirsty especially when we see in the other the living presence of God.
Unfortunately, by our sinful behaviour, we can cause others to doubt God’s love for them, or to lose faith in the Christian community we profess membership of. Jesus warns his disciples against behaviour that may place an obstacle in the path of another person and their communion with God. Dramatically he admonishes them that they would be better, blind or lame or limbless, than to do anything to hinder other people and their search for God.
We cannot pretend that what we do does not have effects, on ourselves as well as on others and sometimes it is our predilections to satisfying our perceived needs and desires that causes and provides those obstacles. Our addictions and habitual behaviour are often the source of the obstacles that others stumble over, especially when we are declaring our discipleship to Christ at the same time.
During this time of difference, lockdown and isolation we can be tempted to withdraw to our prejudices’ and then begin a campaign of retribution against anyone and any system that dare to interfere with what I want and what I want to do. We see evidence of this in the media every day, and whilst we are called reverence and respect the rights of others to differing opinions to our own, we are also encouraged always to uphold the personal dignity of each person and ourselves.
Jesus’ challenge to his disciples is always to serve with a heart and mind fixed on the Father’s will, it is never about self and the satiation of my desires and my ambitions. The challenge and invitation is to treat others as you want to be treated yourself, to love others and be self-effacing so that everyone we encounter is seen through the eyes of the Spirit and all our actions can become the actions of Christ.
FR TOM THORNTON
There is a great deal said here in today’s readings about institutional arrogance and communities built on elitism. What matters, particularly when it comes to the invitation from God in the person of Jesus, is what people do and how they interact with other people. If people are doing wonderful things that draw people to God, then God’s Spirit is at work in them. A lot of the actions that indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit are simple things like offering a cup of water to someone who is thirsty especially when we see in the other the living presence of God.
Unfortunately, by our sinful behaviour, we can cause others to doubt God’s love for them, or to lose faith in the Christian community we profess membership of. Jesus warns his disciples against behaviour that may place an obstacle in the path of another person and their communion with God. Dramatically he admonishes them that they would be better, blind or lame or limbless, than to do anything to hinder other people and their search for God.
We cannot pretend that what we do does not have effects, on ourselves as well as on others and sometimes it is our predilections to satisfying our perceived needs and desires that causes and provides those obstacles. Our addictions and habitual behaviour are often the source of the obstacles that others stumble over, especially when we are declaring our discipleship to Christ at the same time.
During this time of difference, lockdown and isolation we can be tempted to withdraw to our prejudices’ and then begin a campaign of retribution against anyone and any system that dare to interfere with what I want and what I want to do. We see evidence of this in the media every day, and whilst we are called reverence and respect the rights of others to differing opinions to our own, we are also encouraged always to uphold the personal dignity of each person and ourselves.
Jesus’ challenge to his disciples is always to serve with a heart and mind fixed on the Father’s will, it is never about self and the satiation of my desires and my ambitions. The challenge and invitation is to treat others as you want to be treated yourself, to love others and be self-effacing so that everyone we encounter is seen through the eyes of the Spirit and all our actions can become the actions of Christ.
FR TOM THORNTON
