Jul 13 - 14th Week in Ordinary Time - Thursday

+ Again, powerful readings as we approach the mid-point of July.  The gospel passage posits a spiritual principle that “works every time.” Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” This is a very basic and fundamental principle that most everyone can agree on: if one really stops to think about it, ponder it and pray about it, it becomes obvious and apparent: there must have been a time when there was nothing, except God: and then out of his goodness and love, he created the world, and most astoundingly us: human beings “in his own image and likeness.”

That would have been enough, but when the natural scheme of things (most especially: the created man and woman) failed: they failed the test of obedience and humility: then God once again reached in and gave an enormously gratuitous gift of “salvation and reconciliation,” And the only way it could be justifiable worked out was form him to send his own Son, to become Son of Man, so that his sacrifice could count for all of us.

And so the gospel tells us: without cost you have received; without cost you are to give! Our days then should be spent in dealing justly, compassionately, patiently, creatively and soberly doing what we can just for the people he puts in our path. Each are there for a reason, beginning with the ones in this room, and great things can happen as the Lord works through us for the good of his “sheep” – his children, our brothers and sisters.

Let us announce by our words and actions: the Kingdom of heaven is at hand, let us do what we have been commanded to do: cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. And he will be pleased with us, and the lives of those we touch will be o so much brighter and lighter.

This was exemplified in the dramatic, and heartwarming story of the revelation of himself of Joseph to his brothers in the first reading. Joseph was a prime example of one who was given much, but who knew the best response would be to give likewise, generously and from the heart – even to those who treated him shamefully.

Let us do the same today!

Proclaim it on the housetops: the Kingdom of God is at hand: and it’s not what you thought it might be like, its subtle, its genuine, it’s for real: REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THIS GOOD NEWS, repent and believe in the gospel.