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Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours
Jesus and a Little Bit of Irish Guilt
July 16, 2013
NO TO TUB +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
1 school night when he was in 1st
grade, Danny protested when his mother insisted he take a bath
Ø
He, like most 5-yr-olds, was reluctant to jump
into the bathtub
Ø
He would much rather have played with his toys a
little longer before bed
Ø
His mother’s response to his protest was simple:
“I bet Connor doesn’t give his mother
this much trouble about taking baths!”
TUB MOTIVATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
This little story comes to mind as I prayed over
today’s Gospel
Ø
In a way, not unlike Danny’s mother, Jesus
seemingly embarrasses those who have witnessed his preaching and mighty deeds
Ø
In naming other locations reputed to be more
wayward and noting how much better those
places would have responded, had they had the opportunity, Jesus challenges the
inhabitants of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum to consider what it is they should be doing, how they should be
living, and what it means to follow Jesus
GETTING US MOTIVATED
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Although Connor was in no way more wayward than
1st Grade Danny, knowing how he might have responded to bedtime
baths caused him to think twice and change his behavior – precisely what Jesus
wants from the people in today’s Gospel
Ø
And, perhaps more importantly, what he wants
from us!
Ø
So what comes up for you when you hear that:
o Folks
who go through the RCIA make better Catholics?
o Gandhi
would have become a follower of Jesus, if his followers were more like him?
o Or
the price of persecution many believers risk if it were known that they’d
sneaked into a secret Mass?
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Today, Jesus invites us to consider what
authentic discipleship entails, to think – and more than twice – about what it
means
o To
listen to the Gospel
o To
respond to the invitation
o And
to follow him!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
