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Greetings, SBT Readers:
In a recent conversation with a friend, the topic of the Synod surfaced, and we found ourselves lamenting how few people are actually aware of its implications for the church. Rather than summarize the gist of our conversation, I am going to share some key passages from a letter Deedee wrote to her bishop; I hope you find it as inspiring as I do:
"It’s unfortunate that so many faithful laity in this area and (across the nation) know little if anything of the Synod. When told about it, senior generations are surprised and dumbfounded about the lack of communication. However, church membership of younger generations (20-thru 40 something) are excited and want to know how to follow it. The USCCB did craft some formal documents.... However, the message just never reached the people in the pew with any vitality, consistency, or promise...
· This Synod is the BEST UNTOLD STORY in modern church history. It’s like hiding a LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL BASKET. Here the Pope has invited the participation of the religious and laity so that their spiritual heart, voice, and experience may be included in ongoing conversations, and meaningful outcomes for the future of our church. Yet, the majority of laity know nothing about this four-year effort in the worldwide church -- this beautiful, inclusive papal invitation to BE AND BECOME THE PEOPLE OF GOD
THE BODY OF CHRIST --ANEW
I am reminded of the many messages in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. “Though many we are one body in Christ … all given to drink from the one Spirit…. the eye cannot say to the hand “I don’t need you.” …the parts that SEEM to be weaker are all the more necessary.” My sense is that the Pope has reached out ---- with courageous wisdom –but some fearful spirit is blocking the invitation, limiting the process, and marginalizing the many he had hoped to include. It’s a sad reality. It seems the majority of American bishops have only given this initiative a nod…. But the “good news” is that it’s not too late.”
Deedee Van Dyke
No, it's not too late to proclaim this amazing story so that no one will be excluded and that all voices may be heard. Thank you, Deedee, for your passion and for allowing me to share your powerful words with SBT readers.
Many Blessings!
Elizabeth
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Link to the Sunday Readings
Dismissing the crowds, he went into the house.
His disciples approached him, saying,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He replied, "The one who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,
and the enemy who sows them is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are pulled up and burned, so it will be at the end
of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will weed out of his kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the blazing furnace,
where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
Mt 13:24-43
What do weeds, seeds and yeast have in common? No, I am not playing the Sphinx and posing an impossible riddle; the answer, in fact, is quite simple-- they all increase and multiply at an amazing rate. In three distinct parables, Jesus points out that the Kingdom of Heaven is about abundance: Good seed is meant to produce good fruit; tiny seeds burst with potential, growing into the largest of plants; and yeast leavens the dough, expanding its capacity to feed the hungry. And then there are the weeds which spring up audaciously, thriving in the most arid of places, often choking the good crop, or blocking the sun's rays from reaching tender shoots...
Abundance can be looked at from several perspectives. On the one hand, there is the ROI God expects from each of us, that is, the "return on investment." Just as the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) reflects that we are called to multiply our God-given gifts, so we are meant to build up the Kingdom, proclaiming the Good News in whatever ways our circumstances allow. To do "nothing" as the worthless servant in this parable discovers is not an option; instead of increasing his master's wealth, he buries the sum that has been entrusted to him. Of course, there is no growth, no compounded interest -- hence the master's rage.
Another way of looking at the reign of God in light of abundance is to distinguish having an "abundance mindset" from having a "scarcity mindset." Originally coined by Steven Covey in his best selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, these terms contrast attitudes towards what we have, whether spiritually or materially. For some, there is never enough and the obsession with craving more things, experiences, influence, fame, etc. blocks them from enjoying the Kingdom of Heaven in the here and now. In effect, a "scarcity mindset" functions like those pesky weeds that throttle the harvest. Based on the fear that there isn't enough for everyone, this mindset means we should grab what we can, while we can, before someone else snatches it out of our reach. Lack of gratitude, a sense of entitlement, hoarding, consumerism, envy, competitiveness, greed, and selfishness are some of the products of this mindset. The resentful older brother in The Parable of the Prodigal Son exemplifies this (Lk 15:11-32), as does the rich man in the Parable of the Rich Fool for he builds bigger barns to hoard his harvest instead of sharing his good fortune with those less fortunate (Lk 12:16-21).
In contrast, an "abundance mindset" is based on the belief that there is enough for everyone and that God will provide for all our needs. This mindset is key to experiencing God's Kingdom as it leads to generosity, sharing, trust, kindness, gratitude, peace of mind and sustainable living. Loaves and fishes multiply, empty fishing nets suddenly fill to breaking point, water becomes wine... When we have an "abundance mindset" we know that God's love and mercy are limitless, and that, through grace, all things are possible. At the same time, however, no matter how contented we might be feeling, we should never become complacent: those weeds are never far away, always ready to scatter seeds of discontent, plotting whether it is better to bind us with fear or choke us with our insecurities....
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