In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course
in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke
Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
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Monday
31st Week Ordinary Time
St.
Luke’s Institute
Memorial
of Saint Charles Borromeo
November 4,
2013
QUID PRO QUO IN LIFE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø We’ve all heard the Latin expression “quid pro quo”
Ø Literally, it means “This for that”
Ø “Quid pro quo”
is a governing principle of economics, of the marketplace, & even of law
Ø Every contract is based on a “quod pro quo”
Ø You paint my house, and I’ll pay you
$3000
Ø In everyday life, the “quid pro quo” principle is good and
maybe even indispensable
Ø It is hard to imagine how society
would stay ordered and how our social and economic structures would hold
together without this
Ø The “quid pro quo” principle has a lot
of value
QUID PRO QUO W/ JESUS +++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø And yet, in today’s Gospel, Jesus
calls us to go beyond that
Ø He tells the people he is having
dinner with not to invite people who can return the favor
Ø Instead, invite people who cannot
invite you to their home in kind of a “quid pro quo” way
Ø Why does Jesus say this?
WHY THIS WITH JESUS? +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø He is not trying to ruin social
structures or economic order
Ø What he is trying to do is to get us,
at least at times, to live out of God’s unconditional love and generosity
Ø God doesn’t operate on a “quid pro quo” basis in his relationship
with us; if he did we’d be finished
Ø God just gives, unreservedly and
unconditionally
Ø Jesus’ dying on the cross is ample
evidence of that
APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Jesus is teaching here that when we do
this, as when we help a resident or staff member, a family member or friend who
will never be able to reciprocate, we are really very close to God
Ø When we help the poor & those
lacking basics, we are acting & living as God does to us
Ø We’re allowing life of God 2 flow thru
us in very pure way
Ø That’s why Jesus says that when we do
this, we will B especially blessed
