They watched him closely?

(Lk. 14:1, 7-14)

These are strange times in the Church here in Ireland. There are calls for women to boycott the Holy Mass, for priests to form a trade union, for the Church here to break with Rome and reject the Pope. A friend of mine who recently visited from the United States said it was like being in Germany before the Protestant Reformation.

This Sunday’s Gospel is so important for us at this time. When people are demanding their “rightful” places at tables of influence and at banquets of decision-making the Lord is telling us to take the lowest seats. His Gospel is one of humility, not power, of service not of authority. At times like this we need to keep our eyes on Jesus.

We are told in the Gospel that the Pharisees “watched him closely”. This is precisely what we need to do. Keep our eyes on Jesus, listen to him in the Gospel and love him in the midst of the Holy Church.

The Spirituality of Youth 2000 puts Jesus in the centre not only of our prayer meetings but in the centre of each of our lives. Our spirituality is to keep our eyes fixed on him and allow his ways to free us in love. Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament teaches us true humility. St. Francis de Salles said once that “Humility is nothing else than the courage to apply the truth to ourselves with all its rigor and consequences”. To know who we are before God teaches us true humility.

During these testing times do not let your gaze be taken from Christ.

Make the prayer of St. Teresa of Avila your own

 Let nothing trouble you, Nothing dismay you, All things pass,

God never changes. Patience attains all, He who has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.

In all things keeps you eyes fixed on Jesus.

Fr. John Harris OP