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Each one of us has been called by Christ to cooperate in his work of salvation. We all have responsibilities for helping to build up the body of Christ.
“Ezra” and “Nehemiah”–narratives of return and restoration–deal with the postexilic period of God’s people. But there was still a long way to go. God’s providence isn’t always fulfilled effortlessly.
Paul addresses the precept of faithfulness to us, as well as to Timothy. We are called to be faithful to Christ and obedient to the Father.
If we are to love as God has loved us, then our lives must involve renunciation so that we can make room for the rest of the creation.
Paul acknowledges that religion can be a source of gain, but spiritual gain. Perhaps we should ask ourselves what we hope to gain from our religious practices.
Paul’s basic instruction to Timothy is that the leader must not stand still but must progress and so provide encouragement for others.
This week, we hear Jesus tell the disciples, “whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.”
Jesus must remind his disciples once again that the Kingdom demands a lot of the disciple. True greatness lies in service. True disciples take the side of those who are powerless.
The sorrows of Mary do not find their significance in the pain that they caused Mary, but rather in the faithfulness that they expressed. Jesus calls us to faithfulness also.
Think about the words of Mechthild of Magdeburg: “The Holy Spirit is our harpist/And all strings/Which are touched in Love/Must sound.”
