The Gospel this week from Matthew is a harsh one I think given our culture. The virgins who weren’t prepared and missed the bridegroom hoped to be excused. How often that applies to life too, no? I find that such an easy dilemma to wind up in. I forget something or am not prepared for something and how I wish I could say “Now I’m ready!!” As we all know, usually that doesn’t matter. Ever miss a bus? The bus isn’t turning around no matter your good intentions. You missed it. So how does that apply to our faith? I think many read this about Christ’s second coming (as we are all waiting for that, right?), but what about in the everyday?

     I think it speaks to presence. Are we truly present to our God or do we schedule our readiness to hear and witness God? If I think of all the times I can recall a clear connection with God, I sure wasn’t expecting it. I wonder how many I’ve missed because I wasn’t ready?

     I love this week’s readings, they are so positive and challenging at the same time. Isaiah says “the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples” and “let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us” because “the Lord God will wipe away the tear from every face!” Wow, that’s just awesome – no promise of a fake, perfect life without tears – but a real life where God will never leave or abandon us. Paul’s letter to the Philippians sums it up nicely: “My God will fully supply whatever you need.”  Matthew’s Gospel adds a twist, but I want to focus on the first two readings for now.

     I think an appropriate question after hearing the readings is “Do I really believe this?” If so, then I’d follow it with, “Then do I truly ‘rejoice’ as Isaiah proclaims I should?”  Why do I ask this? I personally can attest that at times I find it hard to be grateful. Do you? Are you grateful that you get to go to school? Are you grateful that you can afford food? Well…maybe yes, but do I rejoice? The other night we tried some praise and worship at a Journey Night. While it might be able to be executed better, an idea came up to me, if I (or we) really believed all the good things that Isaiah and Paul say we should rejoice over, then our voices should be deafening, right? Given the opportunity to sing praises to my God, I shouldn’t hesitate in the least, but let my gratitude and praise be heard. Hmm…This week I’m asking myself: Am I truly grateful, and if so, do I sing God’s praises?

     Last week Isaiah clearly told us that “Your ways are not my ways, says the Lord” and that theme continues this week with the reading from Ezekiel, where God retorts to their cry “Unfair!” with: “Is it my way this is unfair, or, rather, are not your ways unfair?” In the Gospel from Matthew, we have the situation where Jesus tells the chief priests and Elders that “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you,” which again I’m sure they also cried “Unfair!” What does this mean for us?

     Well, I think it’s a challenge for each of us to look inward and ask what our true motivations are. Are we really trying to live as Christ, at Paul challenges the Philippians, where he plainly says to “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.” That’s tough. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can end up a doormat and unhealthy. At the same time, if you ignore others and only take care of yourself, well, you might miss the “kingdom of God.” So what do we do?! I bet Jesus was a fan of moderation and balance. Sure do your homework, don’t just let people copy, strive at the workplace, and take care of your family and your health. Let’s be honest though, where can we help others more than we are now?

     What resources do we NEED vs. WANT. Is it really that hard to say hi or befriend the kid who’s always left out? Is it really that hard to compliment employees you might have each work day? Well…yeah, it can be hard sometimes, right? I struggle with it daily. Maybe that’s the point, I should struggle with this balance, question and challenge myself, and not get too comfortable thinking I’m doing enough.

     The readings this week are again, I think, a tough pill to swallow if we are honest with ourselves. It makes me recall what Chari Rosales shared at our recent leader training for all levels. She was reflecting on the Lord’s prayer and she delivered oh-so-perfectly “And Lord, forgive me please of my sins…(pause)…as well as I forgive others.” Naturally, this drew a chuckle. The reading from Sirach says it quite bluntly: “Could anyone refuse mercy to another…, can he seek pardon for his own sins?” Matthew’s Gospel follows up with the story of the unforgiving servant. We all know the word: hypocrisy.

     Hypocrisy is a pretty nasty word that usually we don’t like being directed our way. However, being a true Christ-follower, a Christ-ian, means we also have to take that scary look inward. Teens, in your school day, do you forgive and show mercy to that kid? Adults, do we forgive or show mercy to that one person? As the readings last week challenged us to be not of this world, I think one of the best ways we can do that is emulate Christ’s mercy and forgiving nature. Of course, he was merciful and forgiving almost all of the time. The hypocrite often received quite a strong word. Let us continue this week to challenge ourselves to show we are Christians by how we forgive and give mercy – not too popular these days it seems to me. After all, it’s a lot easier to roast someone.

     “That’s not fair!” More than anything else, circumstances where we want to say that phrase will annoy us, if not down-right make us angry. We love things to be fair and equal, for someone to not “cheat” the system. This week’s readings, however, challenge that humankind attachment. The Gospel from Matthew is a lovely parable of a master who challenges us with the question “Are you envious because I am generous?”

     Well, that’s a pickle isn’t it? I guess in our schools, classrooms, workplaces, or at the grocery store we are challenged to BE generous, APPRECIATE generosity, and REJOICE that our God is generous instead of haughty. It may make us angry at times to see someone else get something we don’t think they deserve. This is definitely a hard teaching to live out, in my opinion, but I guess that is why Isaiah says in the first reading “nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.”

     The Gospel this week is a great one. When I lived in a Lasallian Christian community, you could often hear someone toss out “Mathew 18 clause!” Jesus is calling Christians to a higher standard of how we treat each other. We are called to emulate the Master, someone who ate with sinners. One of the most cliché accusations sometimes we receive in the world is being either hypocritical or judgmental. Gandhi famously said: “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” So what does this passage challenge us to do exactly then?

     First, it challenges us to NOT gossip and to be honest with people. When we are hurt, it can be much easier to ignore it, bad mouth them, or go talk to someone else. As Matthew writes, we should go to the person first. Really, that asks us to treat them with respect. Another often quoted line is from Matthew 5, to “love your enemies.” Could you imagine? If we actually treated those we disagree with, were hurt by with LOVE! I think it’s a wise way to live in life that I find helps in my marriage, with my friends, and with anyone I encounter. Jesus was pretty harsh on the hypocrite and the self-righteous, often using some of the most foul language against them.

     We Catholic-Christians should do our very best to follow today’s reading. When anger, pain, or negative feelings arise we are called to submit to the will of God – not becoming a doormat – and confront the person with respect and dignity and love. It’s risky business though, as I recently pondered most early Christians were murdered. This month marks my 25^th year as a parishioner here at St. Thomas, and a tough question I ask myself is how well have my actions matched Christ’s and do I honor the title of “Christian?”

     The Gospel this week is pretty famous: Jesus’ walking on water and Peter’s attempt we might say. Probably one of the most quoted, that’s for sure; there are probably plenty of comic strips that feature this passage. One question I always wondered, though, is this: why did Jesus walk on water to start with? Was it because he was done praying and just wanted to get back? Did he miss his Disciples? Was it just to teach a lesson or test Peter’s faith? Did he know his Disciples were getting worried and wanted to comfort them? We know one thing: Jesus says “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” Shoot, Jesus is good with the one-liners.

     In the first reading from 1 Kings we hear that God came to Elijah in a whisper. So God comes to us in the storms and in the silence. Hmm…so if I don’t feel God’s presence or see God, I wonder which one I’m missing: God’s whisper in the silence or His arms reaching out to me in a storm? Either way, it seems that I have to pay attention and trust. Geez. Can’t God just be more obvious? 

     The Gospel and readings this week all have to do with Eucharist and the promise of eternal life. “Not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” – Deut 8:3.  “We, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” – 1 Cor 10:17.  “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” – John 6:51.  Do you believe? Take some time this week to reflect and answer that question. Be honest.

     Where do you find yourself along the road to Emmaus? Are you still trying to allow Jesus to Journey with you? Have you invited him into your home yet? Have you broken your lives open with him? Can you see him in the breaking of the bread?

     Our God wants us to live life to the fullest, and backed it up with His own sacrifice. We are called as Christians to model that, and even more so as Catholic-Christians to help bring forth the Kingdom of God. So what does it mean to bring forth the Kingdom? May I suggest this: make your life a testament to Christ by living more fully each day AND helping others to have life in abundance. No wonder we Catholics are so pre-occupied with serving our neighbors. How will you help someone and yourself live more fully this week?