Dear Friend,
This weekend our “Slow Mass” will remind us that it is a divine gift that, as a community of disciples, once a week on the Sabbath, our time-bound lives can enter into eternity. We are truly present to the Lord – and He to us! Jesus speaks to us, along with all the Saints and all our departed loved ones encouraging us. How appropriate, then, that our Gospel parable this week presents a picture of the reality we meet when we are sent out from Mass; namely, the ordinary (extraordinary?) moment where, over and over again along the way, Jesus promises to show up for us, sometimes when least expected.
What am I talking about? Well, I’m a person who struggles with setting priorities. So many possibilities compete for my attention. A few minutes ago, for instance, at least seven demands were vying for my attention like an internal committee – a mix of wise and foolish directions. And deep down, I knew what I had to do: go to the desk and write!
That’s Wisdom’s direction, and in the readings this week, she – Wisdom - takes me even deeper. Meet Christ here, in this ordinary moment, his gifts ready to be unwrapped in the person or activity right in front of me. Slow down, says Wisdom, you cannot do everything at once. Planning, choosing well – these take time. Becoming “unfoolish” (and unselfish) doesn’t happen overnight! It’s hard to set aside – even lock out – every other demand, at least for a while. Only God, says Wisdom, can see (and do!) everything at once. Wondrously, God shares time with us – it’s a gift of love. My task is to take direction, get to this moment’s door (it might be a desk!), and trust that Love will meet me there.
Gratefully,
Father Dan ofm, Pastor