Daily Retreat 09/18/07
2007 Sep 18 Tue
1 Tm 3: 1-13/ Ps 100(101): 1b-2ab. 2cd-3ab. 5. 6/ Lk 7: 11-17
From today’s readings: “If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the Church of God?... I will walk with blameless heart.... God has visited His people!”
Pastoral Principals & Principles
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are together called the “pastoral epistles” because they specifically give advice and outline criteria for pastors of souls. The reading today can well be combined with yesterday’s call from Paul for intercessory prayer - how crucial for each of us to ask God to endow the pastors of His Church with these qualifications!
We’ve all known (and still know) truly upright pastors - the problem comes when we encounter (or hear about) men who are charged with the duty of shepherding souls but fall sinfully short of this mold. Although all are called to holiness and the highest standards of morality, there’s no question that when a deacon or priest or bishop falls into serious sin, the scandal is greater.
And while we can’t expect perfection from anyone, neither can we ever condone sin (in ourselves, or in others). The psalm reminds of the need to persevere in the way of integrity and walk with blameless heart. How can anyone do this all the time? It’s not easy to be a faithful Christian - in fact, humanly speaking, it’s downright impossible! But since God has visited His people, those who put their faith, not in themselves, but in Christ Jesus – those who follow Jesus in big ways and small ways, turning to Him for strength (and forgiveness, when necessary) – those who lead others to Jesus as well – such are they who will welcomed by the Lord in His home!
1 Tm 3: 1-13/ Ps 100(101): 1b-2ab. 2cd-3ab. 5. 6/ Lk 7: 11-17
From today’s readings: “If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the Church of God?... I will walk with blameless heart.... God has visited His people!”
Pastoral Principals & Principles
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are together called the “pastoral epistles” because they specifically give advice and outline criteria for pastors of souls. The reading today can well be combined with yesterday’s call from Paul for intercessory prayer - how crucial for each of us to ask God to endow the pastors of His Church with these qualifications!
We’ve all known (and still know) truly upright pastors - the problem comes when we encounter (or hear about) men who are charged with the duty of shepherding souls but fall sinfully short of this mold. Although all are called to holiness and the highest standards of morality, there’s no question that when a deacon or priest or bishop falls into serious sin, the scandal is greater.
And while we can’t expect perfection from anyone, neither can we ever condone sin (in ourselves, or in others). The psalm reminds of the need to persevere in the way of integrity and walk with blameless heart. How can anyone do this all the time? It’s not easy to be a faithful Christian - in fact, humanly speaking, it’s downright impossible! But since God has visited His people, those who put their faith, not in themselves, but in Christ Jesus – those who follow Jesus in big ways and small ways, turning to Him for strength (and forgiveness, when necessary) – those who lead others to Jesus as well – such are they who will welcomed by the Lord in His home!
posted by FrPitstick | 9/17/2007
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