Scripture:
Reflection:
“Take care, then, how you hear.”
Pairing today’s two readings can be facile, and the “takeaway” is quite obvious. From the Book of Proverbs we read, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need.” And the Gospel thunders Jesus’ words, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money…”
But if we are able to ponder a bit more, we are able to journey deeper and also discover a message most applicable for this difficult time of turmoil in our Church, our country, and our world. On Monday we read from Luke’s Gospel Jesus’ words, “Take care, then, how you hear.” Do I see or hear truthfully, honestly?
“In medio stat virtus” is a Latin expression taken from Aristotle by St Thomas Aquinas. It simply means that strength or virtue is found in the moderate position between – and above – the two extremes of any issue. In other words, Jesus is constantly admonishing the crowds, his disciples, and the Scribes and Pharisees, with a challenge to avoid the extremes, the outrageous. Whether his words of caution center on interpretation of the Law, or paying taxes, or the chemistry of relationship, the best option lies somewhere between two extremes. It is usually best to find middle ground. Moderation in all things.
Extremes today might be in religious expression, in wealth, in political opinions.
For example, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about seventy-four percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight; that includes nearly forty-three percent who are considered obese. Yet ten percent of those people don’t’ consider themselves to be overweight.
Another maxim from Aquinas is “Quidquid recipitur ad modum recipientis recipitur.” The translation: “Whatever is received is received according to the manner of the receiver.” To paraphrase the proverb: We see things not as they are but as we are!
Lord, grant me the grace to see things as they are, not as I want them to be!
Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.