Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B
Reflecting on Ephesians 4:30-5:2
What if someone wrote you a personal note of practical advice like the one we heard in Ephesians today? Here’s a letter someone might send to me, inspired by today’s second reading:
My dear Kathy,
Watch carefully how you live. Remember the times you’ve acted foolishly. Don’t do that again. Remember that time when you held your tongue and reserved judgment? That’s what wisdom feels like. Do that some more.
Make the most of your days. I like how you’ve been riding your bike more this summer. Keep it up this fall. It’s a holy thing to get in touch with the simplicity and fun of childhood. That’s where you first started your conversations with God, remember? Don’t forget that first love. God is really present there.
And when you feel the Spirit, give thanks! Notice when friends appear, or events unfold, or little children reach out their arms and say, “Watch me!” Watch it all. Feel the fading summer sun and the blessed cool nights. God is there.
And never, never stop praying for those who grieve, especially those who lost their loved ones through violence this summer. Pray for those whose wounds will be a lifelong challenge. Pray for the miracle of changed hearts and minds.
And keep talking about the scriptures. Remind people of the psalms and hymns that give them life. Season your conversations with words of faith. And always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for your own hope (I Pt. 3:15).
And eat more ice cream. (That one may not have been in the original translation.)
How about writing yourself a similar letter?
What would YOU like to say about this question, or today’s readings, or any of the columns from the past year? The sacred conversations are setting a Pentecost fire! Register here today and join the conversation.
I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).
I think it would like this
Hi Becky, This God, the Father, I want you to always remember that I love you, I know you haven’t always felt wanted and I know that it often hard for you to feel like you fit in. But know this I called you into life and I wanted you always I invite you to call me Father, and I well call my child. To me you matter, to me you have a reason to exsist. No you may not always know what it is that I call you to do and it not as important to know or understand what you need to do as for you to have faith that I will guide through it all It may be as simple as smiling at a stranger you pass by on the street, I kwen he needed a kind act to remember he matters , that he’s not invisable. You worry that you’re not smart, But you are educated in way you don’t even realize. You ask me why there is always so much illness and death around you, This is a special calling I give you to comfort these souls in their times of need, you never seem to mind hold their hand until they come home and you don’t mind holding their hair when they are sick and you don’t even mind just sitting there quietly as they rest. No Becky you weren’t a good student in school but some things you just can’t learn in class rooms there things that I made in your personality. don’t worry so much what others think I will deal with them Just stay with me , pray and talk and love me as you alway have. because I love you so much.
Wow….this is a hard question to respond to, but I’ll give it a shot:
Dear Jen,
Watch carefully how you live your life, as many others, whom you may not even be aware of, are watching you. Do not be foolish in believing the ways of the world are just and fair because they are not. Do not continue in this ignorance, but study My word and try to understand My will for your life. Do not get drunk on wine or high on drugs or numb on television, or do anything else that will give you a false sense of well-being. These feelings do not last long and will leave you even emptier than before. Instead, fill yourself with my Spirit that you may know true fullness. And above all, PRAY…pray always and in EVERY situation, giving thanks to the Lord always. REMEMBER – I love you and I will not forsake you.
Love,
God
Maybe it would go like this for me:
Dear Cris,
I’ve been with you 67.5 years. I took care of your Dad, your Mom, your siblings, your children and children and your beloved friends. What else can I do for you? I kept my promise to you back in Michigan when you prayed: “Lord, if you love me one tenth of a billion of a trillionth that you love David (Old Testament favorite king of Yahweh), I will be alright!” Continue to pay attention to Me and the many signals that I will be sending you as you move along the highway of life.
Your Dad,
Y H W H
Becky, your letter brought me to tears. You have great gifts and from what you said, I bet many people love and value you in their life. Thank you for sharing.