28th Friday in Ordinary Time, Yr 2. October 14, 2022
Eph 1:11-14; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13; Lk 12:1-7
I love watching my birdfeeder because there are many different types of birds that come and go. They are all different, yet they are all the same. Each one of them beautiful in its own right. From the dull “cowbirds” to the beautiful red, blue, purple, and gold finches. Even the English Sparrows are beautiful to look at. They all crowd around and fight over the food in the feeder, but they all seem to get enough. God, and I refilling the birdfeeder every other day, provides for them all. I never have to worry that they will go hungry. In the Gospel reading today we have many people crowding around and trampling over each other just to hear Jesus speak. If only they would realize, there is enough for everyone.
In the first reading from Ephesians we hear: “(We) were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward our redemption as God’s possession…” I added the “we” because, after all, we are all given this installment of the Holy Spirit, not only at our Baptism, but also at our Confirmation, and technically at every sacrament we receive. In addition, we are given more guidance by the Holy Spirit throughout our entire lives. Imagine that this is the gift we are given during our earthly life so that we can receive life everlasting in heaven. If someone were to shout out and say, “Come on! They’re giving the gifts out in the field next door! Hurry before it is gone!” Wouldn’t you want to go? I can imagine that is similar to what the people who were crowding around Jesus were thinking. While His message is a little confusing, telling us to be fearful of the one who can kill us and throw us into the fire, He also tells us not to be afraid. As long as we keep our eyes on God and know that our Father’s love is everywhere, we will be well taken care of.
St. Paul’s exhortation in the first reading to the Ephesians tells us a similar thing. We are all part of God’s plan and His will so that we, too, exist for the praise of His glory, just like those birds around the bird feeder. God knows them and us, every one of us, as special as we are. We are all together, one in the same. Believe in Him and you, too, will be sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. That promise of inheritance toward our redemption as God’s possession.
Saint James Catholic Church 