Daily Retreat 06/22/08

2008 Jun 22 SUN: TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jer 20: 10-13/ Ps 68(69): 8-10. 14. 17. 33-35 (14c)/ Rom 5: 12-15/ Mt 10: 26-33   From today's readings: "Terror is all around....  Lord, in Your great love, answer me....  Just as sin came into the world through one man....  Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul... "   Intimation of Intimidation   Fellow Christians, dear brothers and sisters who follow Christ Jesus - you and I are on a hit list! Those who wield power in this world are out to get us. Beware, true Christian, beware!   Is this paranoia?  I think not, or , at least if it is, we can blame it on an unbiased glance at history, and the taking to heart of certain warnings made by our Lord Jesus.  For the plight of the faithful follower of Christ today is no different than it ever was for the servants of God, as the prophet Jeremiah bemoans, "Terror on every side!  Everyone is on the watch for any misstep of mine."  Can anyone deny that today the princes of the culture of death, the magnates of Madison Avenue, the chieftains of unbridled consumerism are constantly campaigning, even when we sleep, to intimidate all Christians into disowning Jesus before men.  Or rather, in a diabolic bow to tokenism, they permit, even encourage, perhaps, the "harmless" profession of faith in almighty God for one hour on Sunday, provided that every other hour of the week confesses submission to the almighty dollar.   Dearly beloved, outside of our sacred hour of worship, do you and I really acknowledge Christ before the world, or do we disown Him?  Do you and I acknowledge Christ by bedecking our souls in the beauty of virtue, or do we disown Christ by turning our whole attention to care of outward appearance, clothing our bodies with designer lines, but covering our souls with nothing but the filthy rags of vice?  Do you and I confess Christ with our every word, always using language pleasing to Him, recognizing the tongue as the sacred vessel which momentarily bears the Body of Christ?  Or do you and I deny Christ with so many words, casually polluting the air with profanity, and sharpening our tongues with slander and gossip?  Let's ask ourselves: do I recognize the presence of Christ in the neediest, and at times, the most annoying of His brothers and sisters, and do what is in my power to assist them, or do I overlook the presence of Christ in all the people I meet whose halos are a bit dim or crooked - those who don't live up to my expectations?  Do you open your heart to Christ be welcoming His consecrated servants, or do you slam the door in His face by disregarding, ignoring, or even maligning the shepherds He's given to His flock?   During this very week, each of us will have at least 100 opportunities (and you can count 'em) to acknowledge Christ before men, or to disown Him.  How many times will you let the power-wielders of this world intimidate you, scare you into disowning your God in favor of the false gods of the world?  Or how many times will you take heart, and proclaim Christ from the rooftops, so He will recognize you in the presence of the Heavenly Father?  Dear friends, let it never be said that you and I were intimidated by the mafia of hedonism, for the true Lord of Heaven and earth is with those who call upon His name - always! Fr. Rory Pitstick Our Lady of the Valley Parish 2511 N. Elmway Okanogan WA 98840 USA (509) 422-5049 "Illum oportet crescere, me autem minui." John 3:30