July 28 // 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Do we think work is meaningless? Or transitory? Is our work done for satisfaction in an unknowable future? Today’s reading from Ecclesiastes suggests the real fruits of our labor are found in the laboring itself rather than in what we might be able to enjoy of the fruits of our labor in the unpredictable future.

Jesus prayed the psalms throughout his life. We too pray for wisdom of heart, the kind of interior insight that will enable us to live committed to what is of God. Today’s psalm springs from the suffering of the people of God. Their community is in distress and they cry out to God. They feel abandoned by God. They knew punishment for ungodly behavior and wanted harmony that had been disturbed by sin to be restored. Israel expected the guilty would recognize their error and reform their ways and then blessings would return.

We hear in today’s reading from Colossians of sins that we are to put to death. Stop lying to one another!

And in our Gospel, we are cautioned to guard against greed. With our overstuffed closets, cupboards and refrigerators and the obscene amount of food we bring to a family reunion, we may think there is no way we will ever put that sin to death. And then we listen to God who shows us some who are hungry and our greed is transformed into generosity. Thanks be to God.

Deni Mack, D. Min
Pastoral Associate