Reading for Jan 5, 2008

Today's reading from the Rule of St. Benedict http://www.osb.org/rb/

January 5, May 6, September 5
Prologue

Hence the Lord says in the Gospel,
"Whoever listens to these words of Mine and acts upon them,
I will liken to a wise person
who built a house on rock.
The floods came,
the winds blew and beat against that house,
and it did not fall,
because it had been founded on rock" (Matt. 7:24-25).

Having given us these assurances,
the Lord is waiting every day
for us to respond by our deeds to His holy admonitions.
And the days of this life are lengthened
and a truce granted us for this very reason,
that we may amend our evil ways.
As the Apostle says,
"Do you not know that God's patience is inviting you to repent" (Rom. 2:4)?
For the merciful Lord tells us,
"I desire not the death of the sinner,
but that the sinner should be converted and live" (Ezech. 33:11).

Some thoughts

I find myself wondering if in St. Benedict's day they already observed that there are those who go to church on Sunday, who seemingly pay attention, but who on Monday act as if they never did hear a word that was said in that church? I suppose, human nature being what it is.

Do you see the astounding way the second stanza begins? God personally assures us, God personally waits on us. It is so easy to take God for granted. So easy to postpone until tomorrow what we need to do today because God will always be there.

In what way do you take God for granted?