Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm
“What To Say When You Roll Out of Bed?”
Several years ago, a radio station ran a contest. DJs invited their listeners "Just for fun, … when you wake up to the sound of FM-106, call and tell us the first words you said when you rolled out of bed…. the third caller will win $106."
The next morning, "Caller number three, what did you say when you rolled out of bed this morning?"
A groggy voice said, "Do I smell coffee burning?"
Another day, a sleepy worker said, “Oh no, I am late for work.” It was a funny contest and got a big audience.
One morning, however, the third caller said something unusual.
The station phone rang. "Good morning, this is FM-106. You're on the air. What did you say when you rolled out of bed this morning?"
A voice with a Bronx accent replied, "You want to know my first words in the morning?" The enthusiastic DJ said, "Yes, sir! Tell us what you said."
The caller responded, "[Shema, Israel]... Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."
After a moment of embarrassing silence, the radio announcer said, "Sorry, wrong number," & went to a commercial. [Adopted from Sermons.com 11/03/2024]
Our society pushes against religion in the public square. But our Readings offer us two takeaways: 1. we should not be embarrassed or afraid to share our faith, our religion and 2. Our faith should inform and guide our daily life.
In our Gospel Jesus answers the scribe by synthesizing The Shema, [Deuteronomy 6] love of God, with “love our neighbor.” [Leviticus 19:18] Interestingly the scribe responds by referring to the Book of Hosea [6], God desires that we know Him and love Him. Jesus tells the scribe he; the scribe is not far from the Kingdom.
Most of us learned in grade school that we needed to show our work; how we arrived at our answers on our homework or on tests. We show our work of loving God by loving our neighbor. This proverb might help us discern the reality of God and our neighbor.
“I sought God, my God I could not see.
I sought my soul, my soul eluded me.
I sought my neighbor and I found both.”
[William Bausch, Once Upon A Gospel, p. 305, A Persian Proverb]
In 1955 the famous singer, Frank Sinatra recorded the song, “Love and Marriage.” It contains these lyrics, “Love & Marriage … go together like a horse & carriage … You can’t have one without the other.” Jesus proclaims that Love of God and love of neighbor go together; you cannot have one without the other.
In the Synod that just conclude in Rome, Pope Francis said, “[As] … the Church we are called to ‘dream’ …. A Church is the servant of all, the servant of the least of our brothers & sisters…. with open doors that is a haven of mercy.” [St. Louis University Sunday Web Site, Anne Osdieck]
“To have a Christian love for our neighbors is to love God in them, or them in God.” [de Sales, Treatise on the Love of God]
Today we are reminded, Hear, O Catholics at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, “…. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”
For a few minutes think about what you will say when you roll out of bed tomorrow?
May God Be Praised.
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