After my first review of the readings for today, my thought was the message is clear and simple. We have been given some very specific directions – not much question in terms of what they mean. So …we just have to follow them. That is where the challenge begins. How DO we live our lives according to these simple rules? How DO we keep our part of the agreement? How DO we love our enemy?
The first reading is a beautiful invitation to us as well as a promise. As I read this, I was reminded how truly blessed we are. What a deal!! We walk in His ways, listen to His voice, and obey the commandments and in return we are His sacred people and in line for praise and glory. Of course, there is that condition about obeying and listening. For some of us, that would be me, that condition can be a challenge. Knowing what I should do and then doing it sometimes has quite a distance between. I remember when I first learned the Act of Contrition as a child and truly each time I say it as an adult, I am reminded of my frailties and failings and that chasm that I create for myself.
The responsorial psalm, indeed, inspires us and supports us to follow the law. What a motivation with the repeating phrase that we are blessed. It affirms our rewards for obeying the rules. We grow up with all types of rules from parents and school and others. We want and look for rewards if we obey the rules. Not unlike my rat terrier, Lei-Lei, who patiently sits at the top of the stairs when she has gone outside and behaved appropriately. She expects a treat – we want to know we are rewarded. Unfortunately, we do not always recognize the myriad of rewards that surround us. The blessings that are bestowed upon us everyday are all too often taken for granted. We are so busy with our day-to-day that we miss the butterflies and the rainbows. Instead, we wait at the top of the stairs for our treat and miss those daily gifts.
Matthew presents to us the ultimate challenge in the last reading. We are to love our enemies. Jesus proclaims that if we are to be children of God, we need to go the extra mile. In terms of current language, we need to push the envelope and get out of our comfort zone. It is pretty easy to love our family (well, most days!!). The challenge is to extend those same kindnesses to those who could/would show us ill will. I once heard that when you are meeting with someone that upsets you or with whom you are uncomfortable, the secret is to pray to his or her patron saint. Now, that is a switch for me – I always pray to my guardian angel in those situations and to Mary that she intercede that I be granted grace in my coping. Perhaps by praying to their patron saint, we are extending love to them. At the very least, it forces us to take a step back and see them in a different light.
The bottom line is clear, we are loved and blessed. Our rewards are abundant and our challenge is straightforward: we are to love in the same way we are loved – without judgment and without expectation of being loved in return. No one ever said this was going to be easy – the promise is we are not alone!!
Nancy Shirley
I returned to Creighton in December 2003 having previously taught at Creighton from 1980-1989 and involved in many campus activities including ILAC and CEC House. Since returning, assumed Faculty and Administrative roles on both Omaha and Phoenix campus prior to retirement August 2022. Served as the Nursing Director for ILAC from 2013 – 2021 and as a reservist in the Army Nurse Corps for 23 years.
I am a grateful child of God, wife, mother, nana, and retired nursing professor. My husband and I met at church and have walked this extraordinary journey together experiencing CEC in 2004 and growing more committed to our beliefs. In addition to my husband, I am blessed with a wonderful daughter and son, who in turn are blessed with wonderful partners. My son’s four children bring us all endless joy and delight. My daughter’s daughter (our youngest grandchild in Phoenix) has been a true gift beyond description. In early 2023, I became a Great-grandma!! I am now retired faculty at Creighton having taught nursing here from 1980-1989 and returned “home” in 2003 to teach nursing at all levels and to administer the undergraduate program on both campuses until 2022. My mantra has been My life is God’s gift to me; what I do with my life is my gift to God!!
Now in retirement, I appreciate more and more all the ways that I find God in my life especially through my family and garden and through music and song. I find listening to Christian music daily in the car keeps the right message in my head. It is, indeed, a blessing to be part of this ministry. Writing reflections is an opportunity to ponder the readings deeply in my heart and to share those musings and some music that further touches my soul. I am a recipient of God’s grace with each one I write.
