~ READINGS & REFLECTIONS ~
(08-08-2010)
GIVEN MUCH
“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much” (Luke 12:48). Whew! At least the Lord hasn’t entrusted me with much! Thank goodness that the work of the reign of God on earth has been entrusted to somebody else. This must be the “good news” of today’s Gospel, right? Wrong!
In the mentality that has come to be known as “keeping up with the Joneses” we can gear ourselves
toward a comparison with those who have more or who have been given more, even by God. Unfortunately, nowhere does Jesus say: “Not much will be expected of those who have been given only a little bit.” Each of us, in our own way, has been given something, some gift or treasure that we can put toward the work of the reign of God. This is the vocation of Christian discipleship. Perhaps others seem to have been given more; evaluating this is not the disciple’s concern. The concern of each of us in the vocation for which we have been chosen is to take what we have been given, and consecrate it for the continued in-breaking of God’s kingdom of justice, joy, peace, and beauty. Then will we come to realize that we have indeed been given much. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
SAINT TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS
(EDITH STEIN) (1891-1942)
August 9
“Come,” Edith gently whispered, taking her sister Rosa’s hand, “let us go for our people!” These were Edith Stein’s last words as the Nazis, enraged at the Dutch bishops’ condemnation of their genocide, took into custody all Catholic converts from Judaism. Born Jewish, but non-practicing from her teens, Edith’s search for truth led to a doctorate in philosophy, a brilliant career as professor and author and, finally, to the Autobiography of Saint Teresa of Ávila, which she read in one sitting, then declared, “That is the Truth!” Baptized on January 1, 1922, observed then as the feast of Jesus’ initiation into the covenant of Abraham, confirmed on February 2, the feast of Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple, Edith entered the cloistered Carmelites in Cologne, transferring to a convent in Holland when she realized that, because of the Nazi persecution of the Jews, her presence could imperil the safety of the other nuns. She died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz as a daughter of Israel and of the Church. —Peter Scagnelli, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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