Let Them Eat Cake ! ! ! !
Well, Father's homily today had the rapt attention of many!!
He spoke of sacrifice. He spoke of the widow who gave away part of her last flour and oil to a stranger. He spoke of the Gospel story of the old widow who gave her two coins. And, he spoke of not enough health insurance, and too many weapons of destruction.
As I listened, I became uneasy, as my priest's remarks became more intense with each passing minute. I reminded myself to 'sit down'. (Remember how everyone panicked during the storm while Jesus was asleep in the boat? I often try to remember that I need verrrrry often to sit and wait out the storm a little before Jesus peaks out of the corner of His eye and lets me know what the real situation is!) So for a little while, I started to watch the expressions of people in the pews. Nope, I wasn't alone. There were more than a few whom I thought ready to jump ship.
I understood Father's passion. Yet, I could not help wondering if, during an increasingly political homily, if we would be allowed to interact??? I finally smiled at the mention of "socialism". I recited to my nephew sitting beside me what I had learned about socialism. "Everyone should give according to his abilities, and receive according to his needs." WONDERFUL!! I have told people for years that TRUE socialism was very, very, Christian. But, to my nephew I commented that , Many, many current politicians cannot bring themselves to be as fervent about Christianity as they are socialism. I have never understood how they could think Socialism can come about without Christianity? I then realized that I was starting to walk to the front of the boat so to speak. So I mentally 'sat down', flashed a grand smile to a parishioner who was smiling at me, and prayed a little prayer.
I did walk out of church and chat for a few minutes with some parishioners. We talked a little about socialism and I said that Father was right. He had baked a great cake with the basic ingredients. War is hell, children should be protected at all costs, we should give of ourselves unselfishly. I was listening. I understood. I had sat down in the boat. Yet, the frosting that Father had chosen for the cake, left a bad taste in my mouth. You know, what they use to frost a cake so that it looks good in a magazine is nothing that you can really eat.
posted by Karen @ 7:49 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
This is not a direct reference to the post or any persons mentioned in it, just food for thought:
Two reflections from a commentary on this week's readings:
"A good measure of our true motivation is our response when we are not thanked or even noticed for doing a good deed."
and
"The poor widow had little, so she could only give a little. Yet, her gift was greater than that of those who gave more from their surplus.
But what do we think of those who have not received as much in terms of family background, moral training, etc. Maybe some of those who are doing much less than we are in moral terms are also giving what little they have, while we might only be giving from our surplus.
We never really know what moral gifts a person has or does not have. This is why it is so dangerous to judge them. We just don't know."
YOur first comment on motivation reminded me of an article I am supposed to write for our parish newsletter concerning what the facilities committee has been doing. I really would like to laud the donations of some volunteers who have given money and time to the Chapel House and the grounds at St. Mary's. Yet some have told me in the past that they do not do projects for thanks and do not want me to thank them in public.
Yet, unless the staff is aware of some of these deeds, they will assume that many are not giving to the church. I cringe every time I hear from the pulpit or read in the bulletin that more people need to "give" to the church". Many generous people who are giving for the truly right reason get criticized. Got the irony?
I do get the irony. Perhaps there's a way to write the article telling what the facilities committee has been doing,"with the help of generous parishioners who have donated their time and expertise as well as their funds. In a true spirit of giving, these parishioners chose to give anonymously."
I think it important to respect the wishes of anonymous donors, but maybe even the act of acknowledging their anonymous donations will encourage others to do the same. Perhaps.
Post a Comment
<< Home