These studies are courtesy of The National Fellowship of Catholic Men

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Here is the study for 6:30 am, Saturday morning, October 29th, 2005 in the Hearth Room at Epiphany.

Our Talents and Abilities, All are Gifts from God

Sunday, October 30, 2005
Malachi 1:14–2:2,8-10
Psalm 131:1-3
1 Thessalonians 2:7-9,13
Matthew 23:1-12


 Click here for the Readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

Here are some unsettling questions: Am I happy to help others without being praised? Am I content when my good deeds go unnoticed? Are there ways that I give only lip service to my beliefs? As uncomfortable as such a question-and-answer session may be, it can reveal attitudes that Jesus wants to heal so that we can know his presence more powerfully.

Jesus warned his disciples not to imitate those scribes and Pharisees who didn’t put their own teachings into practice yet expected everyone else to do so (Matthew 23:3-4). He reproached them for performing “all their deeds to be seen by others,” and for taking pride in their positions and in public honors (23:5-7). They seem to have thought that the gifts and responsibilities God had given them came from themselves and not from a gracious and generous Father. What’s worse, they were using these heavenly gifts to intimidate their fellow Jews.

In trying to overcome this kind of pride ourselves, we should not assume that God wants us to hold a negative view of ourselves. He actually delights in our achievements. He even wants us to take pride in them—but not in a way that steals from him. It’s good to be pleased with our work and proud of our abilities. But when we begin to act as if we’ve accomplished things on our own, without God’s grace, or to think that our gifts make us better than other people, we need to remember Paul’s admonition: “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Today at Mass, offer yourself and your gifts to the Lord. Let him teach you how to use them in a way that gives him glory and advances his kingdom. Let him teach you the way to “godly pride.”

“Lord, everything I have comes from you. My talents, my abilities, even my desire to serve you—all are your gifts to me. I place myself in your hands. Have your way with me, and fulfill your purposes through me.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

  1. In the first reading the Lord, through the prophet Malachi, speaks accusingly and makes a curse of those who have "caused many to falter". How convicting is this to you in how you reflect Christ to others? What are the things you are doing or saying that do not set an appropriate example for those with whom you come into contact? What steps can you take to change this?
  2. The responsorial psalm speaks of our soul as "stilled and quieted." What are the things that keep your soul from being still and quiet during times of prayer? During the day? How can you change this?
  3. In the second reading from the letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul describes his behavior as gentle, caring, and affectionate. Does this describe how you, as a Catholic man, relate to your family, or you co-workers, or others?
  4. The Gospel reading ends with these words of Christ, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” What is your understanding of these words? How do they apply to you?
  5. In the Gospel, Christ also condemns those whose behavior does not match their words. If your family, or fellow parishioners, or co-workers were polled, would they describe you as a good Catholic man of God? What are the things you would want to change?
  6. The meditation opens with “some unsettling questions: Am I happy to help others without being praised? Am I content when my good deeds go unnoticed? Are there ways that I give only lip service to my beliefs?” It goes on to say, “As uncomfortable as such a question-and-answer session may be, it can reveal attitudes that Jesus wants to heal so that we can know his presence more powerfully.” Take some time to pray together that the Lord would heal any of these attitudes that need healing.
  7. In the meditation prayer, we place ourselves in God's hands and ask him to have his way with us. Use this prayer to end your meeting.

 

 

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen


Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen