Click here to read the daily readings from the USCCB website.
Christianity and the Christian life is full of contradictions. Mary is both virgin and mother. Jesus was dead and is alive. Jesus says we will suffer but that the burden is light. Today’s Gospel is full of seeming contradictions.
You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Jesus says also that “to anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Seems unfair.
But remember how much Jesus loves us and how respectful He is of our freedom. With Jesus, everything is a choice. I think Jesus is speaking about humility. It is impossible to see the will of God when we’re blinded by our own desires. Selfishness is deep and pervading, and sometimes easily missed. It’s really easy to point at someone else and say, “That. That is what selfishness looks like. They don’t care about anyone but themselves.” Pointing out this extreme selfishness keeps us blind to the subtle selfishness within our own hearts.
The things of this world are empty. The worldly things that we’re attached to are devoid of meaning unless they draw their meaning from Christ. We are all “anyone who has not.” Even the greatest of saints will be the first to point out where pride and selfishness still have a hold in their hearts. It is in shedding the spirit of the world that we grow rich in the things of God. Take some time to pray about what attachments you have in your life or how you’re trying to impose your will on God’s. For me, I know that Jesus is asking me to get rid of my attachment to social media. I’m so quick to make excuses about why I “need” it, but I know deep down that the way I use it is a time-wasting distraction that cannot glorify God. What about you?
-Amanda Benner, Director of Evangelization