I am currently on retreat with my brother Friars and today I was given the privilege to 'preach'/ share a reflection at Mass . It was the first time I have had this opportunity to break open God's word with all my brothers. It was truly a graced time for me and I would like to share with you my reflection.
The reading was Ezekiel 34.1-11 - about bad shepherds, the psalm with 23 - the Lord is my Shepherd and the Gospel was Matthew 20.1-16a - the parable of the landowner and the day labourers going out at various times.
Below is my reflection based on these readings.
Today the
Church in Canada recognizes someone who may be an obscure Canadian, Blessed
Elisabeth Turgeon. Blessed Elisabeth had significant impact on the early church
of Canada in several ways as a teacher, formator, for her ardent faith,
generous charity and as the foundress of The Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy
Rosary. She was declared blessed in April 2015. She is quoted as saying
“Consider everything before God; he will inspire you with the knowledge of what
to do.” These words of wisdom struck me as I sought God’s inspiration on what
to do about this reflection but also her thought on considering “everything
before God” is what is at the heart of today’s scripture; God’s abundant
merciful and justice-filled generosity.
The words from Ezekiel remind us
of our God who pursues us even when we have been left alone, scattered, and not
feed. Psalm 23 is the familiar hymn of God’s abundance that is rich and
overflowing. As we ponder the parable from the gospel we are challenged to see
that God’s generosity is for everyone rich and poor, the long serving labrourer
and those who join last minute, the first and the last. As I pondered
over these readings I was and continue to wonder if we truly appreciate God’s
generosity or simply become like the first labourers in the parable,
complaining about our ‘wage’. We really have nothing to grumble about do we?
I have no big story about how I
discovered God’s generosity, no amazingly woven tale, rather a simple list (I
love lists) of simple things that have spoken to me about this gift. A
list that hopefully we can all relate to.
Looking back over the past year and past few weeks God’s generosity is obvious
in the way:
I have been warmly welcomed by the
brothers with whom I live, and also by classmates, new friends, familiar faces
and even strangers.
I have been reminded of and
encouraged to share my skills and talents by my formators and community.
I have been challenged to grow, to
expand my horizons and to dream new dreams by my spiritual director, in
relationship with others and through the evaluation process of being a simply
professed friar.
I have experienced the abundant
gift of creation – amazing views from prairie skies, to mountain tops, to
valley bottoms, storms sweeping across the city, the warm rays of the sun, the
crisp winter air and bounteous harvests.
I have gained in knowledge and
experience through schooling, adventures and conversation.
I have treasures richer than gold
in family, fraternity and friends.
And in all of this I realize that I and
assume all of us are sometimes like the labourer who starts early, at other
times like the one who starts at noon and yet at other times the one who starts
at end of day…no matter what we always benefit from God’s generosity. Really do
we have anything to grumble against in this generosity shown us? No… not at
all. (Dear Lord help us to remember your generosity abounds no matter what.)
Today at Retreat, Francisco has challenged us to look at the mission
of Christ – Luke 4.18-19 – anointed to bring good news, proclaim liberty, recover
sight to the blind, let the oppressed go free and proclaim God’s favor – this is
only possible by trusting in the generosity of our God.
God’s Generosity Abounds:
Whether we are a grazing sheep or
bold shepherd:
Whether we are broken down or made whole:
Whether we are lost or have been found:
- God’s generosity abounds.
Whether we are prey for others or have become healthy nourishment:
Whether the Word seems empty or it stirs deep within us:
Whether we are in want or have plenty:
- God’s generosity abounds.
Whether we are in a barren land or
lush green pastures:
Whether we are filled with fear or have found great comfort:
Whether we hunger and thirst or sit at table prepared with cup overflowing:
- God’s generosity abounds.
Whether we are facing hurt and shame or are surrounded by goodness and mercy:
Whether we feel like we have nothing to offer or have an abundance to share:
Whether we struggle to share our
gifts or give of them endlessly:
- God’s generosity abounds
Whether we labour from morning to
night or only a brief hour:
- God’s generosity abounds.
This is our God who is slow to
anger, rich in mercy, whose justice is everlasting and whose generosity is a
gift for the first and the last. God is generous always, even when we are not
or do not know how to be. “God’s awesome goodness and superabundance is so
amazing that when we feel that we have merited some sort of reward, God pours
out even more than what we have allotted for ourselves and others.” (JV) This
is the superabundant mercy, justice and generosity of our God.
St. Francis provides another way
to consider today’s parable. In his Admonitions he says: “Blessed is the
servant who no more exalts himself over the good the Lord says or does through
him than over what He says or does through another.” (Admonition XVII) Indeed a
reminder of God’s generosity. Indeed a reminder that we are all workers in the
vineyard, with varying skills and abilities, but all provided for by our
generous God.
As we contemplate the richness of
our lives, let us reflect on the generosity of the cross of Christ, let us
continually seek nourishment from the Word of God and the Eucharist, and let us
go forth to glorify God by choosing to be generous with what has been given to
us and what is ours to give …our lives.
Let us consider everything before
God.
Amen.
A Special Celebration:
I also renewed my vows for another year. It is official I am now entering my second year as a simple professed friar. It is a simple celebration but one that truly launches me into the next year. Surrounded by my brothers and my formation team I was able to place my hands into the hands of our Provincial Minister and profess my vows. The journey continues because of the grace and generosity of God, because of support of family, friends and brothers and because I continually open myself up to God at work in my life. I truly am amazed with this adventure.
I truly rely on the gift of prayer and so I humbly ask for your prayers as this journey continues and I deepen my Franciscan walk.
I also ask that you pray for my Brother Donald who is beginning his first year of vows (he has just return from Novitiate making his vows on August 2) and for my Brother Joe who will make his solemn vows this week.
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| Donald, Joe, Michael, ofm |
Blessed Elisabeth Turgeon - Pray for us!
St. Francis & Sr. Clare - Pray for us!
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