original photo 2005 sji

 

March 14 2006

Mt 23:1-12 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
There is always a way to deceive myself about what I am doing and who I am. It seems very easy to tell others what to do but more difficult to not tell others what to do but just follow what I know I need to do. Sometimes taking the last the least the lowest of the choices is a contest of those who would wish to be most known as humble...this misses the mark. The path that I did not want to take but the one I am sure that God wants me to be on is the way. Titles and honors mean nothing compared to pleasing God in what I do first. There are many calls of sirens of society that reach our sea worn ears and tempt us to crash our boats upon the rocks...the only voice to follow is the living Word of God made flesh. When I still the noises of the world the inner voice of the Lord is there never leaving me without the love and comfort and care of God.