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Daily Scripture

+ 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Every day is a gift and a blessing.

Readings: I Corinthians 1:1-9 Psalm 145:2-7 Matthew 24:42-51

I give thanks to my god always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gifts as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [I Cor 1:4-5, 7]

My mother used to say that every day is a gift and a blessing—an opportunity for grace indeed, many graces.

I suppose it’s all according to one’s perspective. The greatest challenge in life is to find something to be thankful for every day. This is particularly difficult during stressful times and certainly during illness of one kind or another.

I think I may have shared difference between a hermit and a nightclub performer. The hermit wakes up at dawn and says, “Thank you, God!” The nightclub entertainer wakes up at noon and says, “Good God, morning?”

There is so much going on in the world at large and in our own particular worlds to bring anxiety and stress. It’s hard work to maintain balance. An active spiritual life based on the confidence that nothing can happen today that can defeat us if we are grounded in the belief that God’s presence is abiding but it’s difficult and sometimes terrifying to let go.

I still remember the first time I road my two-wheeler bike without my dad holding on to the seat. We started off—I, confident that he hand was firmly attached to the seat. I had ridden almost a full block before I realized that he had let go and there I was, gliding down the street. It’s that way with God. We just need to remain conscious that God’s ‘hand’ is not a crutch but that God’s grace within us is real.

Some days it seems as if we are starting all over again.

Still another view on 'It's politics... isn't it?'

Tuesday May 13, 2008

A slippery slope!

I listened to Rev. Wright’s full homily (not the network’s You Tube snippet), the interview with Bill Moyer and the C-Span broadcast of his speech at the Press Club. It reminded of a Holy Name meeting years ago when the speaker (African-American) addressed the issue of social justice, rejecting the role of violence and destruction employed by union movements. In response to the audience irritation at the comparison, he said, “I speak so loud, you may not hear my words”. Sounds like Rev. Wright!

Had he been polite and courteous at the Press Club, the outcome may have been different. But as you know, and this writer demonstrates, we have our own prisms. We hear things through the filter of our apperceptive mass including the accumulated prejudices and biases we don’t care to acknowledge. His key words demonstrate this:

Translation: We are people of good faith but this is not our problem. We have tried to help, but they have wasted the opportunity. Move on!

The writer prefers that the wronged adopt forgiveness and fails to acknowledge responsibility for the continuing injustices demonstrated by African-American’s poverty, joblessness, infant mortality and the crime and incarceration rates. Here in Philadelphia, a predominantly Black city, more than 40% of the people live below the poverty line.

Yes it does make a difference too many Americans, especially the younger generation, who understand bias and prejudice whether it be race, gender, religion, sexual disposition, in the Church or on the public stage.

“Experience” is the new code word!

The NY Times column called the Clinton use of the race card shameless (I was a supporter), but it is ‘win at any cost’. Yesterday, WV exit polls showed that more than 20% of the white voters considered race in deciding to vote for her. And they had the guts to admit it. 51% said Rev Wright affected their decision. He just made it easier on them.

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