Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
As Christians how many of us have said one thing only to turn around and do the opposite. The word for that is hypocrite. There are few among us who have better radar for hypocrites than teenagers. They have an intuition for the genuine. Their idealism and passion for justice makes their age group often misunderstand parents and public alike. At the heart of it is their desire to work to change the world. To an outsider who is attune to their energy, their drive is a model from which we all can learn.
For St. Paul and the community of Thessalonica the drive and passion of certain individuals was divergent from the rest of the people. It was generally believed that Jesus was returning soon and thus some in the community had decided there was no longer a need to work. Paul’s admonishment and example shows that work is necessary so as to not burden the community. Paul’s words were matched by his example. Thus he walked the talk.
In a way the Psalm and psalm response echo this idea. It is walking in the ways of the Lord that we will bear fruit that will benefit the whole community in both word and deed. Ultimately, a healthy fear or respect of the Lord will lead t us as both individuals and as a community to being blessed. The blessings come to us best when both our actions follow from our words and beliefs. Can you think of examples in your own life when your deeds and words have not been consistent? What might need to happen in order to not be seen as a hypocrite?
For me, sometimes the hardest area to walk the talk is in keeping my faith consistently alive and excited. In these times, I feel like the Pharisee that Jesus is criticizing in today’s Gospel. I feel like the polished tomb, devoted looking on the outside and spiritually dead on the inside. When we become aware of these times in our lives it is up to us to step it up and get to work on renewing our faith. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Still when we do work hard on our faith the blessings we receive can restore our weary souls.
Take time to be quiet today. Become aware of the Lord’s presence. Then allow the Lord to transform your heart, mind and soul so that in your example you will say what you mean, and mean what you say.
-Mike Montgomery