Ordinary Time: Thursday, November 20, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Malachi 2:1-16

There is a great verse in this passage.  Have we not one Father?  Has God not created us?  In this age of divisiveness, in this age of disagreement, in this age where people are torn down each day; isn't that a great phrase to remember?  Hasn't God created each of us?  Aren't we each made in His image?  Doesn't He desire to know and love each of us?  

And if that is how God feels towards each of us, shouldn't we feel that what towards one another?  If God cares of you, shouldn't I care for you?  If God forgives you, shouldn't I forgive you?  As God loves each of us, so are we called to love one another. 

Even those people that we might not like.  For, isn't God their Father too?  

New Testament Lesson

James 4:13-5:6

James warns us today about getting too confident in our own selves, our own worth, our own plans.  Instead of thinking so highly in our selves, we should remember that all the good in us, all that we can accomplish, all the promise that today holds; that is a gift from God. God is the giver of all good gifts, and He should be praised for all the good gifts in our lives.  

Gospel Lesson

Luke 17:20-37

One of the things that fascinates us, and all Christians, is the end of the world. There are books written. There are websites. There are TV shows. There is everything under the sun. There are many that claim that they know and they understand when it will be and what it will be.  

Jesus tells us, no one knows.  It will come when God deems it is ready.  

And of all the things that we can spend out time worrying about, He doesn't encourage that to be one of them.  He wants us loving each other, forgiving each other, spreading grace, healing the hurting, teaching the children, seeking the lost, visiting the sick, caring for the poor, working for what is right. 

Loving Him. 

Let's do these things that He has called us to, and we'll leave the unknowable mysteries up to God's wisdom and mercy.