News - July 2022 RSS Feed

I once heard a Scripture professor say that he thought the author of Ecclesiastes might have been the “first Existentialist.” He was referring not just to the famous “vanity of vanities” quote but also to the whole outlook of the book, which is rather blunt and realistic, without sugar-coating the difficulties of life. Anyway, today’s readings provide us with healthy “reality checks” about life, death, and what is really important.

What is the best possible gift you could ask God for, and receive just for the asking? We get the answer in today’s gospel – the Holy Spirit! Today we hear about God’s graciousness in answering fervent prayer. The secret to receiving is…don’t stop asking, seeking, knocking.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). Today’s readings teach us about showing hospitality and hearing the word of God.

In years gone by when I was preparing to give a talk, my friend Bob, now deceased, used to tell me, “that thing is in you.” He was referring to the word of God. And that is actually the message in today’s readings. God’s law, God’s word, is in our hearts. The Good Samaritan had God’s law of love and charity in his heart.