TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 6/7, 2014
Asking the right questions can make all the difference. When someone asks our advice, for example, it is really important to ask the right questions. Pointed questions can focus and clarify, find out what the person really needs, and then the help and advice can be forthcoming. But without those questions, everything is just a blur.
Coming away from reading today’s scriptures, we need to ask the right question in order to hear the message: How much of our lives revolves around we and how much around me? Because we are a fiercely independent culture, we often think that we have to go it alone, and rely solely on ourselves.
But our scripture readings today tell us that we really are in this all together. The first reading from Ezekiel and the Gospel both focus on the importance of relationships and our responsibilities toward one another. Not only that, but Jesus goes on to say that whenever two or three are gathered in His name He is in the midst of them. And that is the essence of what the church is.
We gather here today and Jesus is in our midst. We gather to worship not just for ourselves but as a community. Yes, there is a personal element to our faith; but there is also a community element. We have responsibility toward one another not to be overly critical or judgmental, rude or harsh. When the weather is hot and uncomfortable, or when life is treating us poorly, it is easy to lash out at one another. But conscious that Jesus is with us, whenever two or three or more are gathered in His name, He asks us to care about each other as He cares about us; He asks us to go the extra step as His people to demonstrate to all the world who that God of love is.
So in conclusion, we ask again: How much of our lives revolve around me and how much around we?