From: your-daily-tripod+noreply@googlegroups.com
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:38:35 +0000
Subject: [Your Daily Tripod] Digest for
your-daily-tripod@googlegroups.com - 2 Messages in 2 Topics
To: Digest Recipients <your-daily-tripod+digest@googlegroups.com>
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Today's Topic Summary
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Group: your-daily-tripod@googlegroups.com
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/topics
- Chosen to Be His Own (August 28) [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/t/be18e0b9b85e0913
- I Will Destroy the Wisdom of the Wise (August 27) [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/t/bdbfb87bcf2ebed7
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Topic: Chosen to Be His Own (August 28)
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/t/be18e0b9b85e0913
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From: The Lighthouse Keeper <dxfaro@cox.net>
Date: Aug 27 07:31PM -0700
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/msg/1dbe995b5c93fc06
Memorial of Saint Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God
chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the
lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to
reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being
might boast before God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
"After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled
accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward
bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five
talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well
done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small
matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your
master's joy.'" Matthew 25:19-21
Piety
Psalm 33:11-15
But the plan of the LORD stands forever, wise designs through all
generations.
Happy the nation whose God is the LORD, the people chosen as his very
own.
From heaven the LORD looks down and observes the whole human race,
Surveying from the royal throne all who dwell on earth.
The one who fashioned the hearts of them all knows all their works.
Study
If we are not careful in reading and interpreting today's Gospel, we
might mistakenly conclude that the Lord wants us to pile up material
possessions for him. However, let's consider this story in light of
our three tripod legs of piety, study and action.
Piety will give us a love of God and an acceptance that the Lord is
our most important friend in life. When we believe in God and his son
our Lord Jesus Christ, we are included in the Kingdom. Those who are
excluded are those who refused to believe in Jesus. God chooses as his
own those who have the piety to know the difference. So even if we are
descended from the prophets and patriarchs (as were the people of
Israel), that does not give us a birthright into heaven. Such a right
only comes to us from practical wisdom (gained through study) and
action to help others as if they were God.
From our study, the servant, who knows God, invests his talent for
God's purpose. These servants are good and faithful people who will
then benefit from living in God's presence. The servant who does not
invest his talent is guilty of inactivity or lack of action. He not
only neglected God but failed to gain the practical wisdom to know
what to do in that situation.
As we learn in today's psalm, "…the Lord's eyes are upon the reverent,
upon those who hope for his gracious help." Thus God gives more –
understanding and wisdom – to those who accept the paschal mystery.
The corollary is that from the one who does not accept the Lord in
love and express that in action, God will take away any such gifts of
the Holy Spirit such as wisdom or understanding.
Action
God chooses the foolish to shame the wise.
God chooses the weak to shame the strong.
God chooses the lowly so that no one might boast of themselves before
God.
Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a classic summary of salvation
history. Moses the slave became the great leader bringing his people
out of the desert to the Promised Land. David the boy-soldier became
the great warrior-turned-king who killed the giant enemy and led a
great nation. From the womb of young Mary, a lowly pregnant teen from
Bethlehem came forth the king of kings.
Who are the foolish in today's society? Let us look to them for
wisdom.
Who are the weakest ones in today's world? Let us help them and share
their strength.
Who are the lowliest in the society? Let us advocate on their behalf
and show that we have the gift of practical wisdom and will act upon
it.
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Topic: I Will Destroy the Wisdom of the Wise (August 27)
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/t/bdbfb87bcf2ebed7
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From: The Lighthouse Keeper <dxfaro@cox.net>
Date: Aug 27 03:29AM -0700
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/msg/e9d29d99467bdf9c
Memorial of Saint Monica
By Melanie Rigney
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is
written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of
the learned I will set aside. (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)
The Lord brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs
of peoples. But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his
heart, through all generations. (Psalms 33:10-11)
(When the foolish virgins returned from buying oil, they found the
bridegroom and the wise virgins had entered the feast and locked the
door. They said,) "'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in
reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25:11-13)
Piety
Lord, sometimes I am foolish beyond belief. Please let me never take
You for granted. May I never run out of the oil that feeds faith and
keeps it burning bright.
Study
The foolish virgins were stunned. They were sure the oil in their
lamps would last until the beginning of the feast. But the feast's
start was delayed because the bridegroom was late… and by the time
they realized the error, bought more, and returned, the door was
locked.
We might wonder about those stingy "wise" virgins. Shouldn't they have
shared what they had? Why did they tell the other women to leave?
Hadn't it occurred to anyone that the feast would begin as soon as the
bridegroom arrived?
The challenge is that no matter how altruistic, how giving we may be
of our time, talent, and treasure, if we don't hold on to enough oil
to keep our own faith lamps glowing, we risk losing it all. If we
deplete our spiritual resources, it becomes easier and easier to think
it is okay to run on fumes. Maybe we didn't take the time we needed in
prayer. Maybe we were too busy helping our friends and families to
spend serious time with the Scripture. Everything seems to keep
humming somehow, and we figure stealing away a little more time and
energy from our relationship with Christ won't hurt.
Except that it does.
We're not smart enough or holy enough to put on spiritual lives on
autopilot. No one, not Peter, not Paul, not Saint Monica, not anyone
can mail it in and expect to find an open door, for as Christ told his
followers, we know neither the day nor the hour. He wants us to travel
light, certainly. But not empty.
Action
Take a look inside your lamp. How low is your oil? Take the time to
replenish it.
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