This is my reflection on the Scripture readings for Sunday October 16, 2005, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
A lot of the commentaries about this Sunday’s readings have to do with the relationship between state and Church, highlighted in both the Old and New testament readings. However, one sentence, spoken about Jesus, caught my eye more than anything: “And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status.”
That is powerful. Staying with St. Teresa’s wisdom, she said “What do kings and lords matter to me if I don’t want their riches, or don’t care to please them if in order to do so I would have to displease God in even the smallest thing? Let this be clearly understood, for it seems to me that the desire for honor always brings with it some interest in money or income.”
What Divine virtue enables us to completely speak the truth without having any fear of the consequences? I think it is humility. If we truly believe that all wealth, all abundance, all the gifts are completely and directly given by God, then our abundance does not depend on any person, any job, or any company. This could be extremely liberating and tremendous good can be generated.
In my opinion, the most destructive thing at the workplace is not people that lack competence, or that make bad decisions, it is people that are so concerned with pleasing superiors that make reckless promises or do not voice their opinions if unpopular. I find that the more “spiritually centered” I am, the easier it is to be an effective leader because I put all my trust in God. Any bad political consequences that may come my way will eventually pass, the good done will remain for ever. All things will pass, but God alone will suffice.
“Let nothing disturb you;
let nothing dismay you.
All things pass away;
God never changes.
Patience attains all that it strives for.
He who has God
finds he lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
St. Teresa of Avila
Technorati Tags: Catholic, Humility, Sunday Reflections
'I lack nothing'. It's good to say that, because often I believe that I do not have the things that I need, and yet, in truth God provides for all the needs of my family...maybe it's the 'want's' that we all get so hung up on. God is Good!
God Bless.
Posted by: ukok | October 16, 2005 at 06:22 PM
very nice blog! TAM!
Posted by: Angie | October 16, 2005 at 07:43 PM