Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 

Prov 9:1-6: This passage, full of very visual imagery, invites us to reflect on the fact that God constantly and continuously invites us to go to Him, at any time, for whatever guidance we need. As we see in the imagery, there is a “broad and diverse menu” available to us. We needn’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. After all, we’ve been invited! Our God has infinite Wisdom. There are immensely vast resources of knowledge available to us. We need only request them with a sincere and open heart. Dear Lord, fill us with the desire to grow in Wisdom and the capacity to hear, understand and benefit from Your gentle imparting of Truth and Virtue! Amen.

Psalm 34: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” Here is a psalm about allowing ourselves to be open to the “experiences of God” that are available to us. Experiences or encounters with God come to us through prayer and reflection. The fruit of sincere contemplation about God and His Word begets in us a cultivated and graced capacity to listen to God and to internalize God’s communications to us. 

We’re all called to offer God glory and praise and thanksgiving. We’re also called to remind and encourage others to seek, love, serve and praise God, also. After all, it isn’t just about ourselves. We’re called to evangelize others around us! Let’s spread the Word that our God is tenderly loving and caring and responsive. Our God is always available and is always answering our prayers. We must pray… in order to be more receptive and perceptive of God’s answers to our prayers and to God’s Holy Will for us, in our lives!

Ephesians 5:15-20:  With the first two passages, we’ve talked about the critical importance of being attentive and open to God. Now, St. Paul reminds us to be attentive to ourselves, as well. St. Paul is cautioning us to be mindful of our behavior and the way we live our lives. Are we living virtuously? Are we trying to live in a state of grace? We must remember that, at life’s end; we’ll be held accountable for our actions and harbored hatred and bitterness towards others. 

St. Paul reminds us to embrace God’s Will… that we must forgive others and let go of all bitterness towards them. Then, when the time comes, when God calls us home; we’ll be free to go… unhampered by “heavy baggage” of grudges and ill will towards others. We’ll have to let go in order to enter the Heaven.

John 6:51-58:  We’ve reflected upon our need for God in order to obtain any measure of Wisdom or Virtue. Jesus imparts to us the most fundamental Truth. We totally depend upon Jesus for Life, itself! Jesus is the Source of all that is good and life-giving. We must keep that contemplation and belief before us.

We must “feed upon” Jesus’ Body and Blood with humble “openness;” allowing ourselves to be filled with His goodness and with His very Presence within us! In allowing ourselves to be “filled,” we’re simultaneously allowing ourselves to be transformed by Jesus’ Holy Spirit within us! We’re then being “saved;” through no virtue or accomplishment of our own… but only through God’s grace!

Dear God! Fill us to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit of Love and Mercy!  

Serenely,  
Deacon Matt