Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Scripture

Everyone probably has memories from their childhood of trying to fit in with a group. It’s a natural thing for us to want to be like others and be liked by others. In today’s individualistic society, we often fail to realize the powerful pull of our communal instinct. Both of our Mass readings for today bear on this subject. 

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Scripture

I remember this incident very clearly. I was in my moral theology class in the Seminary. The professor began his class by asking all of us to write our epitaph. I wanted mine to be the best and the most impressive. I remember thinking hard for a minute and finally wrote down the words: “Here lies a man who lived his life to the full.” I was so convinced that everyone in the room would want to copy my epitaph. When I shared my epitaph with the class, I did not hear the ooohs and the aaahhs I was expecting. The professor passed on to my friend sitting next to me. He had merely written, “Here lies a disciple.” Not only was I highly embarrassed at my own epitaph, but that was the single most life changing moment of my life. It is 20 years since then. Disciple – this word haunts me today as it did that day.