+ We have interesting readings on this second day of mass in the
continuing ordinary season of the year. We
return now to the “teaching narratives and suggestions for daily application”
that was suspended when we began the two great salvific cycles of the
Liturgical Calendar Year: Advent/Christmas, and Lent/Easter.
Our practical stories today
are both colorful and pragmatic: useful to our lives this day.
In the first reading we begin
the story of Tobit’s blindness, and the ensuing crankiness that develops – as
is only natural for one who is stricken blind from “bird-droppings” obtained
from sleeping the in the wrong place, outdoors, at the wrong time. The “goat”
of the matter can be considered any intrusion into his normal temporarily
handicapped lifestyle. Errors in judgment and motive ensued as well, because he
simply could not see clearly.
Any of us can have the same
problem to the temporary blindness that we can experience – especially the
spiritual blindness of seeing reality and circumstances as God does, and
enables us through proper use of spiritual tools and gifts: such as the gifts
of the Spirit received at our baptisms and confirmations and ordinations. When
we suspend the use of these gifts – because we think we know better – then the
“spiritual bird of paradise poops on our eyes of faith, and things get rather
cloudly and distorted.
In the gospel passage we see
the classic scene of Jesus clarifying the message of who gets what regarding
the instrument of exchange: the denarius, the dollar. On the coin there was an
image of Caesar – and so Jesus says: You see this: give Caesar what is his due (your
responsible patriotic tithe and service), but give first and foremost to God,
what is his due: your worship, adoration, affection, devotion, trust, love and
thankful service to all your brothers and sisters in the family of mankind that
he has created for you to live in.
Both readings then have
“seeing things correctly” and then acting responsibly, compassionately and
mercifully as their follow-up.
May we then, in the
circumstances and situations that God will arrange for us today: be his willing
instruments of Hope, Peace and Joy – so that the light generated by this will
enlighten and lighten other people’s lives and loads and responsibilities.
God has visited his people /
he has brought redemption, salvation and HOPE / he has empowered us to carry on
his work of gathering in the flock, the family of God – to a place prepared for
them, for us, beyond all imagining.
May Jesus Christ be praised /
both now and forever. Amen.
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