21st week in Ordinary Time, August 30, 2006

Scripture: II Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18. Psalm 128. Matthew 23:27-32

In my own experience of praying and pondering over the Scriptures, I realized that both the beginnings of most epistles of Paul and the ending chapters are almost direct lines to a prayerful time. They are at the heart of Paul's own prayer life and thus make it easy for us in times of dryness to get back into the live current of prayer. They are also excellent for the liturgical celebrations that we participate in and bring us right into a mode of inspired prayer. Today we are ending the epistle to the Thessalonians and it is giving us some excellent practical advice which can be helpful as a follow-up to our prayer time with the passages of today. We are asked to look to our mentors, or our spiritual teachers and imitate them. This includes our own devotion to particular saints and spiritual directors. We are encouraged in the epistle to work diligently and not to be lazy. It comes through quite clearly in these words from II Thessalonians: "If anyone is unwilling to work, neither should that one eat." I also remember it from its use in the liturgy of the hours and I smile everytime I read or hear that sentence.

Psalm 128 is basic to the spiritual life for we are always to reverence (fear) the Lord and walk in God's ways. There is also a continuation of the theme from II Thessalonians :"you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork." This emphasizes the value and holiness of work in our lives. St. Benedict said it quite simply, " Ora et Labora" or "Pray and Work".

In hearing Jesus excoriate against the religious leaders of his time, we are led to look at our own interior life and to apply these woes to ourselves not to others who no longer are being addressed by these Scriptures. I learn from today's challenges that Jesus is giving me, that I am not to mask or disguise the acts or words that flow from me. They are to be true and should come from a life of integrity. I am not to be a facade that looks good but inside is full of deception or sin. What people see coming from me and from you is truthfulness, goodness, and kindness. We must be as the saying goes, "To thine ownself be true." My Marianist Founder insisted on the fact that the "interior (spiritual life) is what is essential." Again, we all are being called to holiness, integrity, and a wholesome positive approach to our work and ministry. Amen.