Does it amaze you that in Scripture, you hear the truths that people today find fascinating? I suppose I find it more amazing that we don’t go first to God’s Word when we need to solve our problems.
As I read today’s readings, I was reminded of something I read which stated that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. I think it would be helpful to discern who you spend time with on a regular basis. Then, ask the next question: What do you spend time doing when you are with them?
The scribe in the Gospel chose not to follow him after Jesus pointed out the lack of comfort in the lifestyle of an itinerant preacher. The man chose not to follow him, not because of his parents, but because it would require him to make changes. His life would be different. The company he keeps and the way he spends his time, money, and energy would change. The man’s entire life would be upended by following Jesus!
What about us? Have we given our all as followers of Jesus? In the first reading and the Psalm, there are many examples of sin. God rebukes the sinners and reminds them that saying the right thing is not the same as doing the right thing. As believers, we are called to praise God and live according to his word. We are called to be in community with others who do the same. It is also our reminder to spend time with the Word. It is within Scripture that we will find the timeless truths of God. When we are silent after reading Scripture, we can reflect on how to apply those truths to our daily lives.
In the Gospel today, there is that sense that we can get to Jesus later when the demands of life are not so burdensome. In my own life, I have seen time and time again the fallacy of that thought. When my life is exploding all over the place, if I do not spend time in the Word, I start exploding too, and that causes more difficulties, not less. Don’t wait. Be “all in” as followers of Jesus.
¿Te sorprende que en las Escrituras escuchas las verdades que la gente de hoy encuentra fascinantes? Supongo que me parece más sorprendente que no recurramos primero a la Palabra de Dios cuando necesitamos resolver nuestros problemas.
Mientras leía las lecturas de hoy, me acordé de algo que leí que decía que somos el promedio de las cinco personas con las que pasamos más tiempo. Creo que sería útil discernir con quién pasas tiempo de forma regular. Luego, hazte la siguiente pregunta: ¿Qué haces cuando pasas tiempo con ellos?
El escriba del Evangelio decidió no seguirlo después de que Jesús le señaló la falta de comodidad en el estilo de vida de un predicador ambulante. El hombre decidió no seguirlo, no por sus padres, sino porque eso requeriría que hiciera cambios. Su vida sería diferente. Los amigos que tiene y la forma en que gasta su tiempo, dinero y energía cambiarían. ¡Toda la vida del hombre cambiaría si seguía a Jesús!
¿Y nosotros? ¿Hemos dado todo de nosotros como seguidores de Jesús? En la primera lectura y en el Salmo, hay muchos ejemplos del pecado. Dios reprende a los pecadores y les recuerda que decir lo correcto no es lo mismo que hacer lo correcto. Como creyentes, estamos llamados a alabar a Dios y vivir según su palabra. Estamos llamados a estar en comunidad con otros que hacen lo mismo. También es un buen recordatorio de pasar tiempo con la Palabra. Dentro de las Escrituras es donde encontraremos las verdades eternas de Dios. Cuando guardamos silencio después de leer las Escrituras, podemos reflexionar sobre cómo aplicar esas verdades a la vida diaria.
En el Evangelio de hoy existe la sensación de que podemos llegar a Jesús más tarde, cuando las exigencias de la vida no sean tan pesadas. En mi propia vida he visto una y otra vez la falacia de ese pensamiento. Cuando mi vida explota por todos lados, si no dedico tiempo a la Palabra, empiezo a explotar también, y eso causa más dificultades, no menos. No esperes. Que sean “completamente comprometidos” como seguidores de Jesús.
Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. The LiveNotLukewarm.com online community is a place to inform, engage and inspire your Catholic faith. Her weekly Not Lukewarm Podcast gives you tips and tools to live out your faith in your daily life.
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