Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - November 10, 2024

A person who “would give you the shirt off his back,” is a person who goes way beyond the minimum of giving. Instead, he gives “until it hurts.” That’s the basic message of the Gospel story this week as Jesus describes the giving strategies of temple goers. The rich people donate more, but it hurts less (or not at all). The widow donates much less, but it hurts more.

Generosity can be evaluated in absolute terms or in relative terms. Often times, the two approaches come up with different understandings of just how generous a person really is. Objectively, a gift of one million dollars is a very generous gift. Yet, if the person making the gift has many millions, a gift of one million dollars, in relative terms, may not be as impressive.

Jesus is not criticizing the rich people for the level of their contribution. He is not suggesting that their larger gifts are not important, or valuable, or appreciated. Everyone knows that the temple (and every parish for that matter) runs on large donations from wealthy people. There is absolutely nothing wrong with people who give from their excess. On a personal note, special thanks to all of you who give to St. Ed’s from your excess. We appreciate your support!

However, Jesus is guiding us to a higher ideal. He suggests that our level of commitment to “loving one another” should go beyond what is easy or comfortable. He wants us to know that the easy way is not always the best way. Just like He told the scribe in last week’s Gospel, Jesus may be telling us that giving within our comfort zone places us “not far” from the Kingdom. Today, He seems to say that those who sacrifice in their generosity (whether of time, talent, or treasure), are even closer to the Kingdom.

What if Jesus were to directly tell us, in no uncertain terms, that the people, “who put in large sums…from their surplus wealth,” would not make it to the Kingdom? Would St. Edward the Confessor parish or each of us individually, resist the temptation to continue enjoying this world to the fullest extent possible while giving charity out of our excess? Are we ready to give up everything in this world to actually enter the Kingdom?

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - November 3, 2024

In today’s Gospel passage, the scribe asks Jesus what is the “first” or “most important” commandment. Jesus responds by reciting the “shema” prayer, which practicing Jews have recited twice each day for thousands of years: “Listen, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your might.” The scribe agrees with Jesus’ answer and even commends Jesus for His response.

Then Jesus says, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” If “not far” means “close,” then Jesus is saying that the scribe may be a good man, but he may not make it into the kingdom. When I was growing up, we had an expression, “Close, but no cigar.” Except in horseshoes, you didn’t win anything for being close. Being close is of little consolation when you “just miss” spending eternity with God.

Many people, like the scribe, know and agree with Jesus but refuse to be transformed by Him. They want to know what is required but are not anxious or eager to meet those requirements. Mere knowledge can be used for all kinds of misguided purposes. Knowledge of, and agreement with, God’s law only brings one near, not into, God’s kingdom.

Christianity is less about knowledge of doctrine and theology and more about passion and action. The scribe approaches Jesus and the law as objects of study. However, God’s law is not to be studied as much as it is to be applied. John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

Knowing about God and agreeing with His commandments, gets us “not far from the Kingdom of God.” However, if we want to enter the Kingdom, we must be transformed by Jesus and inspired to live His Good News every single day. Who is Jesus to me? Is Jesus simply someone I know and agree with, or is He my Lord and savior? Do I simply admire Him for what He taught, or do I love and live for Him because of who He is?

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - October 27, 2024

“Master, I want to see.” 

In last week’s Gospel, James and John ask Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” to which Jesus replies, “What do you wish [me] to do for you?”  They said that they wanted to sit at His right and left when he came into His glory.  Jesus reminds them that the kingdom of God is not about them and their desire for glory.  They should desire to serve, not to be served.

Today, Bartimaeus calls out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”  He recognizes that people regard him and his family as horrible sinners because he was born blind and that he is destined for a life of begging and isolation.  Unlike James and John, Bartimaeus is not making demands of Jesus, but is simply seeking his mercy.  His request for pity is more like a prayer than a request.  Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Bartimaeus answers, “Master, I want to see.”  He is not seeking personal glory, but only the same basic ability to see that almost everyone else has. 

Despite their physical sight, James and John were blind to Christ’s mission and their role in that mission.  On the other hand, although Bartimaeus was physically blind, his sharp spiritual vision enabled him to understand and appreciate Jesus far better than James and John.  His deep faith caused him to approach Jesus with heartfelt humility, to be persistent even when he was told to be quiet, and to ask for something that would transform his life.  He does not want a place of honor, he simply wants to see.