Tuesday 31st
Week Ordinary Time
St. Luke’s
Institute
November 5,
2013
SAYING NO +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø St. Gregory the Great in his
explanation of this text tries to get to heart of how can a person say “no” to
greatest thing that exists
Ø That a person has no time for what seems
most important
Ø That he/she can lock themselves into
their own existence and miss such an opportunity?
HOW’S SAYING NO POSSIBLE ++++++++++++++++++++
Ø He actually answers his own question:
truth be told, they have not had an experience of God that has connected to
their desire for God
Ø They have never acquired a “taste” for
God
Ø Or the joy it is to be “touched” by
God
Ø It is only this kind of contact that
will draw you to come to the banquet
WHAT SHOULD WE DO? ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
St. Gregory
has described exactly the situation of our time, for his was an age similar to
our own
Ø
The question
then arises, “What should we do?”
Ø
St. Paul
gives us a clue: “Our attitude must be
Christ’s”
Ø
We must
learn first 2 think as J thought & think w/ him
Ø
Thinking
like him, we can then do as he does toward outcasts, sinners, sick, simple
hearted
THE PROCESS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
From
thinking leading to acting we then move to experiencing the very same
sentiments & feelings of Jesus
Ø
We become
one w/ him & our joy 4 God is quickened, awakened
Ø
In
experiencing his presence, our love 4 him grows, our prayer deepens
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Then nothing
will keep us from the banquet of Jesus, which is his presence
Ø
Not the
purchase of a field, of five yoke of oxen or even the taking of a new bride
Ø
That same
invitation awaits us, but it takes the attitude of Christ: think like him, act
like him, and have the experience of oneness with him
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
