Monday 17 August 2020

Today is Monday the 17August, in the 20th week of Ordinary Time.

Silent, surrendered, calm and still.  Open to the word of God.  In all that is going on around me, all the movement, all the noise, Can I find a moment of calmness and stillness now, Can I feel God’s presence here,  And surrender myself to it, Opening myself to listen to God’s word?

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 19:16-22

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

We are often so busy that we forget, or sometimes don’t even think to ask, what our deepest desires are. What are your deepest desires?

Is there something which, like the young man, prevents you from giving yourself completely to God and your neighbour?

Listen to the reading again. Perhaps you can place yourself in this scene with Jesus... perhaps as the young man…or as an on-looker… Notice how Jesus looks…how he speaks... Notice what this all stirs in you…

Talk to Jesus now about your innermost desires however imprecise or poorly formed they may seem. God will understand. Is God inviting you to something new or different?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.