GregCast Diakonia

Let’s begin with the promise of St. Paul: “Christ is in you!” I’m just not a very complex person. I’ve tried my whole life to simplify things down to the lowest common denominator, so today seems to call us to be ready to receive and serve the Lord in a visitor, or a neighbor in need, and be ready for the rewards! In today’s first reading God pays a visit to Abraham in the form of three visitors. Unaware that it was the Lord, Abraham eagerly welcomed three, saying, "Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way." It’s important to note that at the time, the cultural rule and norm was that one would ALWAYS care for widows, orphans and strangers. Yes… This was an understood obligation because in that patriarchal society, losing one’s husband meant losing and source of income. Losing one’s parents obviously did not bode well for any child or set of siblings attempting to li...

Before we begin todays reflection, I want to speak to the common criticism that the church utilizes that good ol’ “Catholic Guilt” to convince the faithful to live the Gospel. Today’s reflection does not aim to guilt anyone into any amount of service. Actually I would contend that you are exactly the person who is already doing God’s will, and that you now have an opportunity to step things up a bit! So as I begin, I do not want to be accused of using guilt as a tool, but rather be recognized as God’s humble instrument in opening up an opportunity to serve. I’m just not a very complex person. I’ve tried my whole life to simplify things down to the lowest common denominator, so you can see why today’s readings just jumped off the page and made me proclaim, “YESSSS!” "If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul…” – ...