Good News Reflection
FOR NEXT SUNDAY: August 29, 2010
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA:
For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection,
please go to Catholic Digital Resources:
http://catholicdr.com/calendar/August/22ndC.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Ps 68:4-7, 10-11
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
Luke 14:1, 7-14
http://www.usccb.org/nab/082910.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_08_29.mp3
Next Sunday's Gospel reading raises the question: What are my expectations (my motivations) when I do good? How other-centered are they? How SELF-centered?
If benefiting others is done for the sake of receiving something back, our motive is wrong. It's not Christ-like.
When Jesus explains this with the example of inviting to a banquet those who cannot return the favor, he's not saying that we have to do this to be holy. That interpretation would be too literal; it misses the point.
The real message is that whatever we do, we should do it for the sake of love, rather than for repayment, i.e., for our own gain. We should do good to others for the sake of the benefit it will give to them. This seems like a no-brainer, but stop for a minute to think about how much you'd like to be thanked and appreciated. What else do you hope to get from assisting others?
Even when someone is sinning against us and we pray for them to change, our prayer should be offered out of concern for their souls. Sure, we also wish they would change to make our lives easier, but that should not be our primary concern.
As followers of Christ, if we receive any blessings in return for the good we do, that's our bonus, not our motive. We can look forward to such bonuses, but our joy does not depend on them.
By becoming aware of our motives and expectations, we gain the freedom to choose to be more like Jesus. As he promised, "You will receive your reward at the resurrection of the righteous." The fulfillment of this promise begins now, in the moment that we decide to be like the Resurrected One, our Lord Jesus.
The reward for here and now is the grace that God gives us to enable us to do whatever he asks – unselfishly, purely, and generously. We'll receive other blessings besides, but that's not the Christ-like reason to be good to others.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
How upset do you get when others treat you unkindly after you've been nice to them? When the give-and-take in a relationship is unequal, do you withhold goodness from that person? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you notice your selfish motives this week. Take your anger to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and ask Jesus to empower you to care more about those people who have been upsetting you.
Questions for Family & Community Faith Sharing:
Describe a situation when you gave more than you received. How did God bless you in that? How was your sacrifice an example of Christ?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org
* To join and become a member, go to:
http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
This work is NOT in Public Domain and may NOT be copied without permission.
You may print one copy for your own personal use.
For PERMISSION and info on how to copy this reflection for sharing, see:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?
Sign up for your own subscription! Go to http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need your help in my daily ministry?
Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. Please visithttp://gnm.org/donate.htm where you can make a real difference - even if you cannot make a financial donation!
Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries http://gnm.org is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources, LLC http://catholicdr.com is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________
This is the "Good News Reflections - American Edition" mailing list.
MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:
Sign up at http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
or change your address
or unsubscribe
No comments:
Post a Comment