Sunday, September 22, 2024

In our Gospel, Jesus explains, for a second time, that he will be a Messiah who suffers and dies for others, but the disciples still don’t get it: they are arguing over who would be the greatest in Jesus’ earthly kingdom. Jesus tells them that the greatest will be the one who is willing to be a servant to others. That theme is picked up in our second reading from the letter of St. James. He points out that selfish ambition and jealousy bring about disorder and foul practices, whereas wisdom from above (that is, living as Jesus invites us to) brings about peace and happiness.
 
Our natural, human urges and emotions push us to think of ourselves and our loved ones at the expense of others.  Personally, I find it easier to control these human tendencies and think of others (read SERVE OTHERS) when I try to concentrate on what I have, rather than on what I don’t have or want.  Some examples: I have a roof over my head, I have food for three meals each day, I have heat when it is cold and air-conditioning when it is hot, I have a car and money for gas, I have health care at my fingertips, I have all the clothes I need.  Many, many people in the world do not have these things.
 
When I think that way, a couple of things happen: first, I am grateful for how blessed I am.  Second, I am not stressed out by the price of things (for example, 12 years ago, when I lived in Rome, gas was approximately $10 a gallon. Should I be complaining to spend $3.50 now?). Third, I am more willing to share resources I have with those who don’t have, rather than accumulate more things that I really don’t need.
 
We are incredibly blessed in all we have; we need to be grateful to God.  Keeping that in the forefront of our consciousness will help us avoid falling into the consumerism pushed by our culture and be more willing to share with those in need.  That is living Gospel values.
 
Church sign: What if today we were grateful for everything?