October 30, 2009
Personal Reflection
A gift from God’s kingdom right in our backyard
By ZOE CANNON (Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes)
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” Matt. 6:33 In our busy world these words are easier to read than to apply. But in the time of Jesus, seeking could have cost you your life. Today, we have religious freedom and choice, so there should be no excuse to ignore this invitation. He tells us over and over “Be not anxious.” He wants us to put our trust in him. This is the hardest thing for us to learn; to rely on God’s ability and not our own. Through Jesus Christ we enter into the presence of God, but we must first realize that relying on self has to literally die in order to fully put our trust in him.
There are many opportunities for us to accept an invitation to seek the kingdom, but because of the demands in our lives, this really is a challenge. My husband and I spent a weekend attending a retreat at St. Meinrad Archabbey. I was pleased that he wanted to join me, especially during football season. We have a treasure trove in our area at the monastery. The Guest House and hospitality of the Benedictine Monks are a gift in itself. The weekend opportunity was time well spent. We could all learn a few things from the practices of monastic living. In the simplicity of it all, the most important responsibility of the day is prayer . . . a time for conversation with God.
I found this beautiful message in a short modern day parable while reading “scripture blogs” online. It was appropriate after our visit to the monastery. An old monk was making a pilgrimage through the desert to the holy city of Jerusalem. During the day it was terribly hot, and at night it was horribly cold. Often there were fierce sand storms. Half way through his journey, he stopped at a small inn to rest for the night. The innkeeper asked the monk how he got all the way to Jerusalem through such miserable conditions. He cheerfully answered, “My heart got there first, so it is easy for the rest of me to follow!”
“What do you mean by that?” asked the innkeeper. “Do you have children?” the monk asked. “Yes, I have six children, and oh what a struggle it is to raise them!” the innkeeper replied. “Has it been difficult to care for them, to guide them and to train them and to provide good things for them?” the monk asked. “It has been such a difficult struggle for me and my wife, because each of our children is so different. What seems to work in rearing one does not work at all in guiding the others. Sometimes we are ready to give up!” the innkeeper said sadly.
“Ah, but you and your wife haven’t given up on your children. The reason is that long ago you both gave your heart to each of them, or as I like to put it, your hearts got there first.” Then the innkeeper asked, “Are all journeys of the heart difficult and filled with struggles?” The old monk thought for just a moment and then said, “Yes, and the struggles you endure are part of the heart’s gift. Whenever you give your heart to anyone, you are also giving them your journey as a gift as well.”
I would encourage everyone to give yourself a gift; visit St. Meinrad Archabbey, much easier than a pilgrimage through the desert; it will refresh you in mind, body and spirit. In the gospel of Luke we hear that “wherever your treasure lies, there will your heart be also.” God invites us to share in his life. We have the greatest treasure of all in our Catholic faith — God, present with us in the Eucharist. This is our strength for the journey, a gift to lead our daily lives in family, in parish, in society and in our work. This nourishment helps us to confront the criticism and disbelief of others, yet to do so with patience and firm faith, because we know that God works with us. At Mass God invites us to share in his own life. We have been invited to look beyond the life as it is here and now and to look forward to life with God in heaven. Show gratitude with your heart, because we truly are offered a treasure, which no one can take from us. If we walk with God, and we know that he is with us, then there will be no challenge too great. If your heart gets there first . . . the rest of you will follow . . . .