21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Prayer
O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
to You I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying You. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to You, and to do all for Your love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease You.
Commentary
1st Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21
In this fourth session of our six-week retreat for the heart, we are reminded in our First Reading that our Christian heart has a purpose:
Our hearts must be fixed on the things above, rather than on the things of earth.
The reference in Isaiah on God’s glory recalls the fiery cloud that descended upon the camp in the days of Moses. This glory of God would come down from the heavens and rest upon the people of Israel. All whose hearts were fixed on this heavenly sign would go forth to proclaim his glory to all the nations.
This glory was a bright cloud – a light – that would change the face of the earth.
As Christians, we understand this glory to be revealed in Christ. He is that light of heaven who – like a burning torch – sets the world on fire for God.
Question:
How do you see the glory of God revealed in your life?
2nd Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
There are a number of reasons why Christian hearts turn away from seeking things from above. A lazy or slothful heart can quickly burn out for love of the Lord. A heart, once on fire, can be hurt by a fellow member of the Church and turn from Christ altogether.
Hebrews reminds us of another way in which our hearts can lose their flame. Many of us want to follow the Lord on our own terms. We forget that following the Lord requires discipline. He tells us that we must carry our cross each day and follow him. Each day!
A man who wishes to lose 40 pounds must be disciplined to avoid eating that desert on the way to his goal. A woman who desires to race a marathon must discipline her body daily in order to compete. A Christian heart which fails in daily spiritual exercises is quick to grow weak. Discipline is essential for a healthy Christian heart.
Question:
What form of spiritual discipline do you employ in order to maintain a healthy Christian heart?
Gospel: Luke 13:22-30
This selection from Luke’s Gospel may seem rather harsh.
Jesus uses a parable to stress a point that “evildoers” shall not enter the kingdom of God. However, this begs the question, “How are these people locked outside considered evildoers?” After all, they ate with him and heard him preach. The Gospel doesn’t explain what they have done to be locked out.
Perhaps we can get a clue from those Jesus would allow to enter his heavenly home. Jesus recognizes those who are worthy of heaven to be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophets, as well as some others from the east and the west and the north and the south (e.g., people from the Gentile nations).
We know that these patriarchs and prophets, as well as those who come to the Lord from across the globe have faith in God. They not only hear the Word of God in the streets, they act on the Word. Their faith is not just an intellectual assent (I believe that God exists), it is also an assent of the will (My heart is on fire to follow my God).
Many Christians presume that hearing the Word of God or even breaking bread at the altar on Sunday is sufficient for entering the Kingdom of God.
In order for the kingdom of God to be unlocked, we must discipline our hearts to follow Jesus each day – not just when it is convenient for us.
Question:
Do I assume that heaven is for everyone, regardless of our faith in God?
This Week’s Task
Meditate for some time this week on the virtue of faith. Is faith for me simply an assent of my intellect? How is it an assent of my will?
Group Prayer
The group offers the following prayer by St. Ignatious of
Loyola:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours;
do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
The prayer continues with Psalm 117
Psalm
Response: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Conclude with an Our Father