Monday, August 29, 2016

Overheard at Mass: Humility

This week's Gospel was all about humility.  In the passage from Luke, Jesus talks about sitting at the lowest place at the table instead of the seat of honor.  

At Mass, we were reminded of an excellent quote by C.S. Lewis:

True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.

In that quote, lies an important distinction for us Catholics.  

God created us in His image - and gave us the gifts and tools we need to carry out His mission for us.  Therefore it is probably not a great idea to think less of what God created!  Besides that, sometimes this version of "humility" is forced and not genuine.  

Rather, true humility is spending more time thinking about God, and others, than ourselves. This will lead us to more appropriate actions, like generosity of talent and means, as well as servitude.     

God Bless you.

Monday, August 1, 2016

There's an "I" in "Rich Man"

In yesterday's Gospel, we heard about the Parable of the Rich Fool.  As I listened to it, I realized how many times the word "I" was repeated.

Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
Likely not a coincidence, of course.  Jesus is telling us that when we focus too much on ourselves, and not enough on others, we run the risk of being spiritually foolish.  

But, He is also telling us that this man thought and acted alone.  He did not seem to consult others (which was common back in those days).  He did not pray for guidance, or ask the religious leaders.  Any of those could have reminded him to share some of his wealth.

But this man, in his richness, has seemingly isolated himself.  

True, there is no "I" in team ... but there is one in "Rich Man".

God Bless you.