november 4 2006

Memorial of Saint Charles Boromeo, bishop

Phil 1:18b-26 Brothers and sisters: As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.

Ps 42:2, 3, 5cdef R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God. Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Rom 5:5-11
Brothers and sisters:
Hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For Christ, while we were still helpless,
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person
one might even find courage to die.
But God proves his love for us
in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood,
will we be saved through him from the wrath.
Indeed, if, while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son,
how much more, once reconciled,
will we be saved by his life.
Not only that,
but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Lk 14:1, 7-11 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I recall sitting at a church function about seven years ago and I was in the least desirable seat in the hall hoping to be called to a better seat but it never happened. I had not gone to the event expecting to be treated to a place of honor but when I was there I was hoping to get a better seat and it never happened. I guess the other side of the gospel reading is to be content with my lot at the moment. God will exalt those who are humbled but in God's time not in my time necessarily. When I seem to be tired or tried or not comfortable with what I have been given, I need to remind myself to keep my eyes on the "prize" the life in Christ and eternal life in heaven. All is dust. So much of what is important at the time is really ephemeral and not the essence of what my heart and soul need for nourishment to walk with God.

I pray this morning for patience and perserverance in my faith journey. I pray for a humble and loving heart that is open to all and nonjudgmental to all. My greatest hope is to be in the kingdom of God and that my works are pleasing to God and serve God and others and that is where my heart and treasure belong. There is great joy in simple faith tried in the furnace like gold. The divine presence is my hope and inspiration for all that I do. I am grateful for a rich and full prayer life daily. This for me is the kingdom now.