Daily Retreat 09/20/06
2006 Sep 20 Wed: Andrew Kim Taegon, p, mt, Paul Chong Hasang, ca, mt, & co., mts M
1 Cor 12: 31 – 13: 13/ Ps 32(33): 2-3. 4-5. 12 and 22/ Lk 7: 31-35
From today’s readings: “Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.... May Your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in You.... Wisdom is vindicated by all her children....”
Hell’s Excuses
There’s an old saying: “Some people, it’s just impossible to please!” Jesus gave His version of that insight in His parable of the children in the marketplace who were so contrary as to be stubbornly unmoved by any music, ranging from a lively flute jig to a somber dirge.
For John the Baptist had preached in the classical prophetic style, with the fire of fasting and self-denial - some sinners listened to him and repented, but others found an excuse to ignore him, dismissing him as demonic. Jesus proclaimed His Gospel of love with a radically new approach - once again, some sinners listened to Him and repented, but others found an excuse to ignore Him, writing Him off as a glutton and drunkard, no better than a publican or other notorious sinner.
For those who need one, there always seems to be some makeshift reason readily available to reject God’s messengers - surely, the Devil has some of his best teams working there at Hell’s Excuse Mill, mass producing an impressive variety of grounds to spurn the Divine Word! But in the end, wisdom exposes how flimsy are all such excuses, and so it happens that those who faithfully patronize Hell’s Excuse Mill eventually find themselves with secure employment there.
1 Cor 12: 31 – 13: 13/ Ps 32(33): 2-3. 4-5. 12 and 22/ Lk 7: 31-35
From today’s readings: “Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.... May Your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in You.... Wisdom is vindicated by all her children....”
Hell’s Excuses
There’s an old saying: “Some people, it’s just impossible to please!” Jesus gave His version of that insight in His parable of the children in the marketplace who were so contrary as to be stubbornly unmoved by any music, ranging from a lively flute jig to a somber dirge.
For John the Baptist had preached in the classical prophetic style, with the fire of fasting and self-denial - some sinners listened to him and repented, but others found an excuse to ignore him, dismissing him as demonic. Jesus proclaimed His Gospel of love with a radically new approach - once again, some sinners listened to Him and repented, but others found an excuse to ignore Him, writing Him off as a glutton and drunkard, no better than a publican or other notorious sinner.
For those who need one, there always seems to be some makeshift reason readily available to reject God’s messengers - surely, the Devil has some of his best teams working there at Hell’s Excuse Mill, mass producing an impressive variety of grounds to spurn the Divine Word! But in the end, wisdom exposes how flimsy are all such excuses, and so it happens that those who faithfully patronize Hell’s Excuse Mill eventually find themselves with secure employment there.
posted by FrPitstick | 9/18/2006
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