WORD FOR THE WEEKEND: August 4

Ends of Barns by Georgia O'Keefe

This weekend finds us at the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

You'll find the readings and commentary on them here and those of you escorting children to Mass will find hints for helping them prepare to hear the Word here. (And adults may find help at that children's site as well!)

The first lesson comes from Ecclesiastes and reminds us that "All things are vanity!" That's to say: much of what we prize is really futile and useless.  (How much stuff and junk, how many things do we have that we neither need nor want?)  These ancient words still hold meaning in our own times. 

Ecclesiastes prepares us to listen to Jesus (in Luke's gospel) reminding us of the folly of storing up all our stuff in larger and larger barns - while remaining poor in what matters to God. Again, these 1st century words have wisdom to speak to our hearts today.

The second lesson sounds a similar message: "Think of what is above, not of what is on earth... for Christ is all and in all." Writing to the Colossians, Paul teaches us about the new person we become in baptism: how we must put the old self and its practices to death and put on the new self which is being renewed in the image of its creator.

Are you baptized? Want to see what St. Paul believes you need to put to death that you might renewed in the Creator's image? Here's his list (verse 5).



Tweet  

   
Subscribe to A Concord Pastor Comments