October 14, 2016

Gospel: Lk 12:1-7
Meanwhile, such a numerous crowd had gathered that they crushed one another. Then Jesus spoke to his disciples in this way,
“Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered that will not be uncovered; or hidden, that will not be made known. Whatever you have said in darkness will be heard in daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places, will be proclaimed from housetops.
I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who put to death the body and, after that, can do no more. But I will tell you whom to fear: Fear the one who, after killing you, is able to throw you into hell. This one you must fear. Don’t you buy five sparrows for two pennies? Yet not one of them has been forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head have been numbered. Don’t be afraid! Are you less worthy in the eyes of God than many sparrows?

REFLECTION:
The dictionary defines the word “plan” in this way: “a detailed scheme, method, etc., for attaining an objective” (Collins). Now in today’s first reading, the apostle Paul says that God “disposes all things according to his own plan and design.” Well, when they hear that God has a plan, a lot of Christians imagine that somewhere in the sky there is a detailed master plan of their lives and that their job is to discover what is in the master plan. And they agonize over what daily decisions they must make.
These are wrong questions. We must not think of God as wanting us to fit into some pre-made plan of his. We must think of him as a skillful dancer who constantly adjusts to our motions (decisions). God improvises in response to what we freely decide. The truth of the matter is that we are the ones who actually create God’s plan as we go along and follow our deepest aspirations. We are free agents. In most situations no one thing will please God, but many will. It is enough for us to listen to our inner attractions, to choose our greatest gladness. All masters of the Christian life agree on this.