Weekend Wisdom, November 4th-5th
November is the month of Holy Souls. We start the month with the most beautiful Masses of celebration and remembrance as we thank God for all the Saints, named and unnamed, who have lived as witnesses to the unconditional and transformational love of Jesus. Then we remember all the souls who have died, the lives they lived, the lessons they taught us, and the legacies they left us – people of faith, hope and love and souls we pray are with our God.
While we celebrated the All Hallowstide with Masses this week, this weekend’s readings are not specifically chosen to honor the saints and sinners who have gone before us. But do not be discouraged - the living, breathing Word of God will not disappoint! Jesus in the Word reaches out to us with some key phrases this weekend as relate to loving God, loving others and the importance of being in good relationship with one another.
Who can’t be taken in by the words of the second reading, “so dearly beloved had you become to us.” I think our cynical world isn’t used to hearing those kind of beautiful words directed at us. We tend to write them off as cheesy or syrupy, but those words come from our Word. They are true and good and right. We are beloved to God and to one another and we need to speak that belovedness into the people around us – our children, our parents, our co-workers, our friends, our employees, perhaps even into ourselves.
Many of us fear the grace and love that God offers, including myself. Somehow love and grace that is so freely given couldn’t possibly be for me and if it is for me, there must be a catch. The catch is this – if you accept the love and grace that is offered you, it will humble you and transform you – “the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.” It is a love that asks nothing in return, which isn’t something that our human minds (especially our American minds) can easily grasp. While God’s love and grace ask nothing in return, God’s love and grace will surprise you, confound you, delight you and challenge you. It will transform you. “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” The invitation to transformation is important to consider in this National Week of Vocations – how are you being called to say yes to (or in) your vocation – ordained priest, deacon, vowed sister or brother, single or married person with or without children?
The one thing God’s love and grace will never do is harm you. So do not be afraid to open your Bible at home and speak with God. Read the Word, receive the love and grace that is for you. It may not always be easy to read what God has to say to you, but run your fingers over the letters and know that they are spoken for you, right now. Consider how God is inviting you into deeper relationship. And as you talk with God, may you remember the words we meditated over in Psalm 131 today, ““In you, Lord, I have found my peace.”
Walking with you,
Amberly Boerschinger, Director of Communications and Technology
