Complacency...a Critical Condition

 

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

~~Amos 6:1a, 4-7~~Psalm 146~~1 Timothy 6:11-16~~Luke 16:19-31~~

 

Complacency

...a feeling of being satisfied

with how things are and not wanting to make them better...

self satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness

of actual dangers or deficiencies. 

 

Woe to the complacent in Zion!

 

Today the readings give us a chilling picture

of what complacency can do to your soul.

The rich man was numbed by his in difference

to the others around him who were less fortunate...

even Lazarus lying at his front door.

 

The wealthy are lounging around on their comfy beds drinking wine

 and indulging themselves.

They are not a bit concerned about anyone or anything else.

 

Some years ago local Houston artists turned a building

scheduled to be demolished into a curious work of art.

They took the exterior frame work

and made it appear that the house had imploded into itself.

 

 

This is an idea of what happens to us when

we allow ourselves to become complacent.

We become turned in upon ourselves, focused only

on what matters to our pleasure.

 

 The rich man passed by Lazarus everyday

 but never noticed, much less cared to see how he could help him.

It was not until both men had dies that the rich man had his eyes opened.

The rich man is being tormented in the netherworld.

Now he can no longer be complacent because he the situation has turned.

 

 ...between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.

 

The great chasm prevents those on either side from coming

 to the assistance of the other. 

Even if one has compassion the great chasm

makes it impossible to cross over. 

 

 We should be vigilant to not let complacency

take up residence in our hearts.

Complacency of the soul is equivalent to imploding into yourself.

Becoming single minded with your own needs

 at the exclusions of all others.

 

 Do not allow complacency to grab hold of your soul

and you will be Blessed.

The Glory Within

1 Cor. 10: 31- 11:1

"Brothers and sisters:

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do everything for the glory of God."

Today's reflection is taken from a prayer service I wrote a few weeks ago for this scripture verse from 1 Corinthians. St. Paul's writings are rich with meaning for us years after they were written. This is proof to me that scripture is the 'Living Word' of God. Living because it is ever changing in it's ability to speak to whom ever is reading...in whatever language...in whatever era.

(Written January 2012)

Paul asks, in his letter to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you?” 1Cor. 3:16

The Glory of God lives inside of you. At the time of your conception God looked upon you and gave you the precious gift of life. From that day forward the world would be changed. There could be no other life like yours. You would be the one God would use to touch another’s life. If it were not for you then things would not be the same.

At your baptism you were given the light of Christ. You were called then to live in that light. You were brought into the company of Jesus. You were given the light of Christ in preparation for the day when you would be the bearer of this light for all to see.

Along with this gift of light came glory, the Glory of God himself. Even as a baby we reflect God’s glory. I am sure you would agree that a baby gives glory to God, whether he or she is laughing, crying, eating or sleeping. A baby’s smile is truly a reflection of God’s glory. The bright sparkle in their eyes reminds us of God’s glory.

The glory of God was never meant to stay contained within your heart. It was always his plan for you to make visible his glory in all that you do. It was always his plan for you to show this glory to others. He may not call us to be a great leader of the nation. He may not ask us to become the next Mother Teresa. He does ask us to reflect his Glory.

As we grow older this internal glory gets shrouded and covered by life until eventually it is just a tiny glimmer. A glimmer that we cannot believe has ever been brighter. Look deep inside for this glory and start to let it shine forth. Allow it to warm you and fill you...extend it out to others.

God asks us to find his glory within and reflect it back to him. Reflect his glory back in all ways great and small. In fact he invites us in 'whatever we do to do it all for his glory even eating and drinking'. Thus, reflecting back to him; in all the ways that he too reflected the glory of the Father while he walked this earth.

We are so fortunate because Jesus came to show us the way. We do not have to wonder how to give God glory.  If we but pick up the Bible; look closely at any of the stories through the eyes of glory, we will see what it means to do all for the glory of God. Every time Jesus reached out to another person he was reflecting the glory of God the Father. Often just his presence or the sound of his voice was sufficient to glorify God.

I invite you to take a moment and recall your favorite story about Jesus...

Now think about how in this situation Jesus reflected the Father’s glory.

He is always there beside us...literally inside of us. His light given to us at Baptism is all the confirmation we need to believe that we can do all for the glory of God.

Consider how all of creation gives glory to God through sheer existence, they cannot make the choice. But we are blessed because we have the power to make the conscious decision to give God glory throughout our life.

So I invite you to spend some time identifying how you reflect God’s Glory to those around you. This is not a boastful exercise instead it is an exercise in honesty, for only you know when you are truly reflecting the Glory of God.

It is already inside of you, this Glory of God, let it out...let it stream forth like a beacon from your being. You will not only be a better person you will be a more joyful person if you strive to live your life for the glory of God.

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." 1 Cor 11:1

The original picture is of a woman's hands splashing water. No matter what you are doing allow the glory of God to permeate your world.

This captured kaleidoscope image to me shows the glory of God pouring forth

from the center reaching to the edge.

Your smile alone can reflect God's glory to another person you meet today.