Thoughts on the Days Readings
Jer 20:7-9 Ps 62 Rom 12:1-2 Mt 16:21-27
Jeremiah, probably before 600 BC, and so before the exile, criticised Israel for worshipping other gods. So Pashtur, the chief priest, beat Jeremiah and put him in the stocks. Next day, when he was released, Jeremiah told Pashtur that he would go to Babylon, where he and all his friends would die. Jeremiah then continued with this lament that God had misled him, because he had to suffer so much on the Lord’s behalf, and had begun to wonder – or doubt – whether his call from God was real.
After marvelling last week at the impossibility of understanding God’s plans, Paul goes on to encourage the Romans to “let your behaviour change”. Like Jeremiah, they must “not be conformed to this world”, but be “transformed by the renewal of your mind”, discovering and doing the will of God.
In Matthew’s gospel Jesus starts to instruct the disciples how he is to suffer, in accordance with God’s will. Peter objects, but Jesus turns on Peter with similar words he used to Satan after his Baptism. Poor Peter! He has just been given the power to bind and loose, but now he is told he is not on God’s side, but is thinking like the world!
Psalm Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
MY HEART TO YOUR HEART .. by Father Bernadino
SIX O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING
Mrs. Smith was an elderly and lonely lady living by herself in a big and almost empty house. One day she decided to call the nearest hotel. On the other end of the line a receptionist answered with a tender and kind voice.
Good morning. May I help you?
Good morning, said Mrs. Smith, also with a sweet and frail voice. Could you please tell me, what time is it?
It’s six o’clock in the morning.
Thank you. You are so kind. Have a beautiful day.
Have a beautiful day too.
The following morning Margaret repeated what started being her daily ritual. She called again the same number. On the other end of the line the same receptionist, the same kindness. Again, the following morning, the same call, from the same person with the same question.
Good morning. May I help you?
Yes. Would you please tell me what time is it?
At this point, the receptionist became inpatient, changed the tone of her voice and answered:
It’s six o’clock in the morning. Can’t you buy a clock and see the time by yourself without bothering other people every day?
I am so sorry for bothering you. I am really sorry. Please forgive me. In my house I have three alarm clocks, three wrist watches and two hall clocks But when I wake up in the morning not one of them tells me «good morning» the way you do. I am sorry. Have a wonderful day.
At this point it was the receptionist who, keeping the receiver in her hand for long time, felt very sorry. God is in every corner and every place and every person we find in our lives, but He is especially present in those who are lonely, who are excluded, in those who bother us, who don’t know how to follow rules. Yes. He is especially present in those who are most repugnant and are good for nothing. (Math. 25)
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