Why I Keep Reading

People expect me to read the latest theology, spiritual, or scriptural commentary – and I try – but I am slowing down on those things. But I am working in a parish on a full-time basis. The people I serve are reading online news/opinions/articles/etc. from the different ends of the social/political divide and everything in between. I try to sample these things so that I can have some perspective on the perspective of the people I meet “on the sidewalk” after Mass. In our parish, we pretty much cover the spectrum with most people “in the middle” … more or less.

Boomers, Millennials, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen who knows and Gen Z – all have their own experiences, expectations, hopes, and the posture with which they face the future. It’s hard to keep up. I am a Boomer and can’t keep up with my generation. All my friends are retired and their world is morphing into something unknown to me.

Yesterday I read a fascinating article from The Free Press. The have White House credentials and an app – good signs of stability. If you want a Gen Z perspective on being an adult, take a “minutes” and read Admit It, Being an Adult Is Hard. It will give you some perspective.

I’ve shared it a few people and most of the initial reaction was “how could they not….” before pausing and realizing there was a point in time when we (boomers) did not know such things but we figured it out. Boomers and Millennials get to face: how does Medicare work? What is a RMD on by IRA? How could we not have known these things? Well… it wasn’t a need. I guess “need” is the mother of figuring things out.

Anyway… enjoy


Image credit: from the referenced article.

Know who, how and when to serve

By faith…” Abraham went out from a land not his own to a place he and Sarah were to inherit. And in that long journey they continued to move forward, against all odds and sense, but always in faith.  That journey was not only of faith, but also of service.  Three weeks ago our first reading was an example of how Abraham and Sarah welcomed three travelers with hospitality – and this adds to the accounts of Abraham’s service – to his family and clan, to Lot and his family, to the King of Salem, and so many others. The story of Abraham’s life is a story told in the outlines of faith and in the outlines of service – all part of discipleship.

Discipleship has been a focus of the summer gospels, all from Luke. Jesus has pointed out the importance of trust when engaged in mission (14th Sunday); compassion and the universality of the meaning of neighbor (15th Sunday); how anxiety can burden and impede discipleship (16th Sunday); the necessity of prayer (17th Sunday); the way earthly riches can interfere with discipleship (18th Sunday); and finally this week the parable of the reliable steward.

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