26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Sunday 1st October 2017)
Time to Reflect – (Matthew 21:28-32)
This Gospel comes at a very important time for us all. Lots of us were at the Youth 2000 Summer Festival in August. It was a wonderful few days and many of us were deeply touched by the Lord. But that was five weeks ago.
How are things now? Did I make any good resolutions then and have I followed through on them. Have I been back to confession since I was in Roscrea? Have I set up that Youth 2000 prayer-meeting that I said I would? Have I gone back to my weekly meeting after the summer break? How are my times of prayer going? Did I promise to say a Rosary every day and slowly that has dwindled down to a few Hail Marys when I think of them? You see I am there too!
This Gospel asks us to reflect on our enthusiastic reception of God in our lives and our desire to say “Yes, Lord, Yes Lord, Yes, Yes Lord!” but have I followed through? I don’t say this to make you feel bad about yourself but I do remind myself and you of the need to reflect.
In his great hymn of love St. Paul says that the first attribute of love is patience. Well in this Sunday’s Gospel we see how this patience of God works. He is always there when we decide to get our acts together. There is nothing wrong with being all enthusiastic at the beginning of one’s conversion or one’s discovering the Lord. But this initial joy must be cared for and nurtured.
The last thing I should tell myself is: I have wasted an opportunity. The Lord is waiting for your love now. There is nothing wrong with falling, but staying on the ground is the problem.
This Sunday be encouraged to begin again! The Lord waits on us to respond to his love. Think of what the Lord is asking for you and how you would like to respond and do it. Begin today.