Daily Reading & Meditation
Friday (12/12): Will this generation heed God's wisdom?
Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19
16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates, 17 `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon'; 19 the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 48:17-19
17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. 18 O that you had harkened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; 19 your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me.” (Is. 48:17)
Meditation: Do you seek God's way of peace and wisdom for your life? The prophets remind us that God’s kingdom is open to those who are teachable and receptive to the word of God. Through their obedience to God's word and commandments, they receive not only wisdom and peace for themselves, but they, in turn become a blessing to their children and their offspring as well. Jesus warns the generation of his day to heed God's word before it is too late. He compares teachers and scholars, and those who have been taught, with stubborn playmates who refuse to follow any sort of direction or instruction. Jesus’ parable about disappointed playmates challenge us to examine whether we are selective to only hear what we want to hear. The children in Jesus' parable react with dismay because they cannot get anyone to follow their instruction. They complain that if they play their music at weddings, no one will dance or sing; and if they play at funerals, it is the same. This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes 3:4 – "there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance." Are you in tune with the message of God's kingdom? And do you obey it without reservation? Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is good news to those who will listen and it produces true joy and spiritual freedom for them; but it is also a warning for those who refuse to obey.
Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with deaf ears and resistance? It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist's austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus' table fellowship with sinners as evidence that he must be a false messiah. They succeeded in frustrating God's plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of John the Baptist and now to Jesus' message. What can make us spiritually dull and slow to hear God's voice? Like the generation of Jesus' time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to the things of heaven. Indifference dulls our ears to God's voice and to the good news of the gospel. Only the humble of heart can find joy and favor in God's sight. Is you life in tune with Jesus's message of hope and salvation? And do you know the joy of obedience to God word?
"Lord Jesus, open my ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set my heart free to love and serve you joyfully. May nothing keep me from following you wholeheartedly."
Psalm 1:1-6
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
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(c) 2008 Don Schwager
Nickels and Dimes Equal A Productive Time
He’s a 16-year-old student who was given a difficult challenge: cook a family meal for less than $7.15. It’s hard enough to cook for a family, much less for nickels and dimes. Aaron was not allowed to use any foods in the pantry, but he could use the kitchen’s preexisting spices. This challenge was issued by his teacher as a way to help students experience Catholic social teaching. Aaron had to put his money (or lack of money) where his mouth is.
He succeeded. He made lentils and brown rice, fresh broccoli steamed in the microwave, apples for dessert, and a tall glass of chocolate milk.
Here’s his mother’s verdict: “We really could use some help with the lentils and brown rice. We needed some sauce or spices. We lovingly called this recipe ‘Bugs and Slugs.’” She was impressed by her son’s cooking skills, which he probably developed in scouts.
Later, I’ll offer Aaron a tip or two on how to improve this dish in the “Food for the Body” section. It will be a fun challenge.
I must congratulate Aaron and his family for entering into this experience and educating themselves on this important aspect of the Catholic faith. Even though he only had a few dollars, Aaron provided a healthful meal and this lesson provided Aaron and his family a great opportunity to be creative in learning compassion for those who struggle to make ends meet.
In today’s world, and especially this time of the year, money becomes a major concern for families. While the days before Christmas make some people nervous about their ability to put the perfect gifts under the tree, there are many families who wonder something more basic: will they be able to put food on the table?
The Catholic Church’s social teaching reminds people that all is a gift from God. While the principal recognizes the importance of working for our wages, God’s blessings cannot be kept out of the equation. If we think that our work is the only factor that saves us in life, we may have heretical Pelagian tendencies. Our work is important, but Grace is essential. Our homes, cars, electronic gadgets, and food are blessings from God. I know people in other countries who work twice as hard as many American families, but only have a tenth of the gifts we have. And, even though they have very little, they usually have the kind of faith that makes many rich people look pitiable.
Aaron and his family are learning about Catholic social teaching at the best place for such a lesson – the dining room table. It is something I encourage all of our Grace Before Meals families to consider learning about, especially in this season when materialism can easily overshadow the important things. Without a clear understanding of the humble purpose of money as a temporary mean, not a permanent end, we can easily lose focus on the meaning of this Advent season, which is to prepare our hearts and minds so that Jesus can be born in them.
Please consider a true “Saint Nicholas” checklist during your busy and perhaps expensive holiday preparations:
(1) Ask yourself how much time versus money are you spending with your children and family during Advent.
(2) Do you buy into the media hype that scares people into buying more? Before Thanksgiving, media outlets reported that not enough people would spend money to keep businesses afloat this holiday shopping season. In fact, we spent 7% more this Black Friday than last year.
(3) Remember that some gifts never go out of style. So, along with the sweaters, technology, and toys, consider including a holy card with every gift you give.
(4) Besides an extra donation in the collection basket, have you and your family considered offering some time and service to the poor?
(5) Keep up your spiritual practices in this Advent season. Are you ignoring the holiness of the Sabbath by doing useless shopping on Sunday? The more time you spend with God and your family, the more of a gift you give to them and yourself. Keep the Sabbath holy especially during Advent.
(6) Are there opportunities for you to find some quiet time for reflection and prayer? Consider finding a chapel where you can sit, relax, and pray a few minutes each day.
(7) Say a prayer for each person on your list as you wrap their Christmas gift.
(8) Don’t forget to wish others a Merry Christmas.
(9) Try making your New Year’s resolution now by going to Confession and thinking of the virtues that you would like to develop, the bad habits you’d like to break, and rising above the sins that afflict you.
(10) Most importantly, don’t forget to give Jesus the most important gift you can give Him: your faith, hope, and love.
As we enter into the third weekend of Advent, remember that Christmas doesn’t have to be about spending money. Of course, you will spend some money. But, even with just nickels and dimes, you can still have a meal blessed by the people around the table as long as you leave room for God.
Aaron’s Bugs and Slugs – A Savory Meal on Nickels and Dimes
Aaron’s dish consisted of rice and lentils. To keep things under $7.15, but to also provide some substantial protein to the meal, I would save money on the chocolate milk and buy a can of Spam instead. I know the idea grosses people out, but Spam has made a bit of a comeback. It showed up in an episode of Top Chef and it recently made news because the weakening economy has forced people to once again buy this economical protein choice. If you want to know how I would have prepared Aaron’s dish, click here for the recipe.
Also, don’t forget that we now have Grace Before Meals aprons and Grace Before Meals: Recipes for Family Life books available, all of which make great gifts for the entire family
It’s no doubt that when people have an unhealthy love of money, they make it the focus of their attention. To keep things in perspective, try spending a few more moments in prayer. Realize that God has the greatest investment ideas if you are willing to invest time in prayer to Him.
Let us pray: Jesus, bless the families that struggle to make ends meat. Despite their financial instability, give them the grace of saints who put their trust in You. Help employers understand the situation of families in today’s world by being just and fair with wages. Help all of those who don’t work due to illness and other struggles and encourage those who can work, but choose not to out of laziness, to do their part in society. Above all Lord, help the Grace Before Meals family enter deeply into the mystery of your love, so that their desire for social justice becomes transformed into acts of Christian charity and holiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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