Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 6 October 2019

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

"God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control"(2 Tm1:7)

Those words of Timothy, taken from our second reading, are apposite for so many contemporary situations. I have a often asked myself, "am I a coward?" especially when faced with very momentous events or decisions that challenge me to step right out of my comfort zone! I don't know what natural bravery is, always anxious, as a child, I found it difficult to be a daredevil, or fearless in a challenge, but I can't say I ran away. In fact over the years I have realised that true moral bravery comes at a cost, facing the fears, knowing the risks, yet making the effort to stand up for what you believe is right, but also knowing that you might not find many supporting you, except as the disciple discovers, the Spirit within!

I suppose this is part of what Jesus tries to tell us will be the pattern of our discipleship. Luke gives us what seems a hard saying, difficult to take on board, for who amongst us would willingly say to ourselves: 'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do ?.'(Lk17: 10)

After putting a huge amount of effort into something, do we really expect such little praise or remuneration for all the work we have done? Yet these days I find myself accepting this strange humility of obligated service, realising that I am not doing things for any reward, but because they are part of the discipleship of Christ, my outreach in Godly love! I might not have done so years ago, truthfully there are times now when I am miffed to find my hard endeavours ignored or simply taken for granted. It's one of the hazards of ministry, picking up peoples mess, holding them together in their fragility, but having to accept that they will turn in gratitude to somebody else more important to them and letting that be so.

I'm always reminded of this in stories where things are sorted out by the underling or secretary, but the thanks is given to the one who is incompetent (and yet wise enough to ask for help!). But isn't that the lot of the 'servant'? Always there, always willing to deal with things, prepared to clear up and sort out the mess of life? This is the harsh, but brave reality of servant love: "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?"(Lk 17:7-9)

You may, in your kindness think to yourself, "I'd never behave like that", but we all do it each and every day to so many people, and as I always remind myself, to so many living creatures-by taking them all for granted. We need those gifts of power love and self-control, not to do great deeds, but to be brave about the small things of life, if we have faith we begin to see God in so many things, in ourselves, in others, in created life and we give thanks for being able to be servants of God, small mustard seeds in the fabric of our world! This is the true cost of discipleship, becoming like Christ so that others may grow to know and love Him through us!

Lectio Divina

Canticle of all Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.

Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.

No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.

The Cost of Discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Great will be our astonishment in that day, and we shall then realize that it is not our works which remain, but the work which God has wrought through us in his good time without any effort of will and intention on our part. Once again we simply are to look away from ourselves to him who has himself accomplished all things for us and to follow him."