26 October 2025 #beUncomfortable
Believe it or not, we have only four Sundays left until the beginning of the “new year” – which is the first Sunday of Advent. Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard a lot about how to conduct our business dealings (preferential option for the poor) and how to conduct our spiritual lives (pray without ceasing). Over the next few weeks, the Church will be asking us to take stock of our lives to see if we are actually living as a disciple of Jesus Christ… are we keeping the main goal – eternity in heaven – as our main goal, day-in and day-out?
In my own personal life, I’ve gotten… comfortable. And you know what Fr. Dave says about comfort: It’s the enemy of holiness. I have a lovely home, a great work/life balance, our kids are launched and professionally successful, the grands are healthy and happy, and in our empty-nesting years I’m re-engaging in a couple of hobbies long since set aside. It’s an easy life, really. And that means trouble.
It means I am more like the Pharisee in the Gospel than I care to admit. How many times have I read the news and thought, “Praise God I was not born in the Gaza Strip or northern Ukraine or South Sudan?” How often do I see someone standing by the side of the road with a cardboard sign and say to myself, “Thank God for my mental acuity and genetic disposition to avoid addiction.” When I see newsreels of factory raids and detention centers, I think, “At least it’s not happening here in Mahtomedi, sweet Jesus.” All thoughts borne of a comfortable life, from a woman committed to the Lord, whose professional life is spent helping people encounter Jesus.
Just like the Pharisee.
“Almighty and ever-living God, increase our faith, hope, and charity, and make us love what you command so that we may merit what you promise,” is the opening line of Mass this weekend (the Collect). Loving the most vulnerable among us (Sirach), enduring and embracing scorn for following Jesus (St. Paul to Timothy), and living a life of prayer and humility is our only hope for heaven.
That type of life will look different for everyone, depending on the gifts we’ve been blessed with. God can never be outdone in creativity nor generosity, so use whatever you’ve been given to show partiality to the weak and walk with the oppressed (Sirach). Confront evil and keep close to the broken-hearted and the crushed in spirit (Psalm). Pour yourself out like a libation and forgive those who desert you (St. Paul) in your mission. Be thankful and keep your imperfections close to your heart and at the top of your mindset (Jesus). Remember: Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less (C.S. Lewis).
If we totally live out that vocation… that call of discipleship… we’re going to be uncomfortable. And that, my friends, is the Good News this week. #beUncomfortable