Pride & Discernment

May you learn from us not to go beyond what is set down, so that none of you will grow self-important by reason of his association with one person rather than another. Who confers any distinction on you? Name something you have that you have not received. If, then, you have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own? ~Corinthians 4

Yes, Almighty God has just showered me too with gifts and often I stumble by being arrogant rather than humble, boasting rather than keeping silence. I have, though, learned to pay more attention to those listening to me: to say what they need to hear rather than just what I want to say.  In that way, I have learned so much more about my brethren in Christ as they respond in kind. (I never knew that she also hailed from the Chicago South Suburbs! Wonderful!)

How then account for the fact that these men, who in Christ’s lifetime did not stand up to the attacks by the Jews, set forth to do battle with the whole world once Christ was dead—if, as you claim, Christ did not rise and speak to them and rouse their courage? ~ St. John Chrysostom

Fr. Jerome Murphy-O'Connor would take issue with the claim that the disciples from Galilee were backward, illiterate men.  That they lacked the courage to stand with Jesus at His Passion cannot be denied. Even after His Resurrection, they cowered until they were filled at Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. Then, there was no stopping them.

So I must learn to follow their example. Be slow to speak until the Spirit gives you the right words for that time, for that place, and to those with whom you speak.

Today we celebrate the Feast of Bartholomew, called Nathaniel in John's Gospel.

My older child Stephen Joseph, chose Batholomew as his confirmation name; his best friend in high school, also a Stephen Joseph, chose Nathaniel.  So, I used to refer to them as (Stephen Joseph) squared, lol. My younger one chose Vincent, "for the poor" she said, and also to honor our Naples bobczka Vincenta.

Today as I often do, I stopped on a corner of our church after communion to pray for my children.  Phillip, who also fed the poor, is there with Bartholomew who he brought to meet the Christ.  May my kids both some day, I pray, open the gifts they have received that now lie unopened and dusty on the shelf in their closets!