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Home Sections The Daily B.R.E.A.D. June 1, 2009 - Monday Meditation (How Much Do We Really Need?)
June 1, 2009 - Monday Meditation (How Much Do We Really Need?) PDF Print E-mail
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Sections - The Daily B.R.E.A.D.
Written by Bobot Apit   
Sunday, 31 May 2009 05:51
O ften we have to choose.  Do we want to really act on our greedy thoughts?  Isn’t it better for ourselves and for humanity to recognize all we have been given and be grateful for God’s gifts?  How much do we really, really need?  How much, oh so much, have we been given?

Memorial of St. Justin
Tobit 1:3; 2:1a-8
Psalm 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6

M ark 12:1-12  And he began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the wine press, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. (2) When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. (3) And they took him and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. (4) Again he sent to them another servant, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. (5) And he sent another, and him they killed; and so with many others, some they beat and some they killed. (6) He had still one other, a beloved son; finally he sent him to them, saying, `They will respect my son.' (7) But those tenants said to one another, `This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' (8) And they took him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. (9) What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others. (10) Have you not read this scripture: `The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; 11 this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" (12) And they tried to arrest him, but feared the multitude, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them; so they left him and went away.


* Meditation by Joan Lanahan
CHOOSE: GREED OR GRATITUDE

It is hard not to have greedy thoughts:  “oh, just another scoop of black raspberry ice cream…or a bigger slice of dessert…or more salary for less work!!!  We all think these kinds of things once in a while.  It ‘s from the “I don’t have enough” syndrome.  It’s from a clutching attitude or some basic fear.  It’s surely not a desire for goodness.

Look at all the harm the tenant farmers in Mark’s Jesus’ parable.  They not only fought, hurt, but killed in their greed.

Look at the greed so alive in our world.  The U.S. has Bernard Madolf and others who have scammed people of their retirement savings.  Other countries, you all have your own non-heroes.

Then, when we ponder Tobit’s story, we see a just and generous man who reached out to others in need, and he was criticized.  He knew God’s gifts and was grateful.

A friend in her 50’s gave up her lifetime of teaching.  It was hard to find another good job.  She had to let go of her home and move in with someone else.  She gave up some of her favorite fun things to do when she could no longer afford them.  Now she is a caregiver for elders, loves her clients and the work.  She doesn’t earn much money.  Nor does she get really good benefits.  She is happy though because she is able to care for others.  She is so grateful that God led her to this new vocation.

Often we have to choose.  Do we want to really act on our greedy thoughts?  Isn’t it better for ourselves and for humanity to recognize all we have been given and be grateful for God’s gifts?  How much do we really, really need?  How much, oh so much, have we been given?  Thank you, Lord.


Supplementary Reading
Gains or Losses?

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. – Philippians 3:7



Is loss always negative? Are valleys always to be avoided? Is loss of a job always the end of something good?

The normal response to loss is grief, avoidance, even anger. But loss can be a good thing. Sometimes loss forces you to make a life-saving change. Losing a job can propel you to learn a new skill that leads you to a productive new career. Failure to get into a particular school might direct you to the school where God wants you to meet someone special. Loss of revenue can motivate you to examine your budget to learn where there have been extravagances. Spending time in the valleys can challenge you to look to the hills and keep your eyes on Christ.

When loss forces you to focus on Christ—it is ALWAYS a gain!

* * *

Is there any loss you are coming to grips with in your life right now? Give yourself time to grieve, but remain confident that God will show you better things to come as you stay focused on him.

* * *
    

Note: This excerpt was taken from the "Power for Life Daily Devotional"


GOD BLESS US ALL!

PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
 



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