Back to the basics

     Last evening I listened to Mitt Romney's acceptance speech at the Republican Convention and next week I will listen to the President's speech accepting the Democratic nomination.  Last night's was and I'm sure next week's speech will be filled with a call to return to the greatness that was once this nation of ours, a return to the pride that we feel as citizens of this blessed land.  Promises will be made that will focus our attention on better times, on our rich heritage, on ideals that speak of who we are (or should be), and on the work ahead.

     Then this morning at Mass the reading from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians reminds us of what needs to be, of what once was but is being lost, of where our greatness is to be found, of where true wisdom is encountered.  What is needed is a deep, abiding, life-giving relationship to Jesus Christ.  That relationship is on a level that is not rooted in the what if's but rather in the what is.  Our greatness is found in our dependence upon Christ and our glory is found in the folly of the cross, knowing that the wisdom of the wise and the learning of the learned will be set aside, for "God has made the wisdom of the world" to be foolish.

     Which presents us with the challenge ... to build our wisdom and knowledge upon the greater wisdom of God.  To accept the sacrifice of the cross as hope rather than foolishness or a stumbling block is our destiny.  To stay on the straight and narrow and not go astray we need to be attentive to the light of His truth.  We need to be true to that truth in order to stand firm. 

     The suggested Collect prayer for today is from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and it read in part:

"O God, who show the light of your truth

to those who go astray,

so that they may return to the right path,

give all who for the faith they profess

are accounted Christians

the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ

and to strive after all that does it honor."

 

     Our restoration is found in our return to the basics and that restoration is accomplished in Christ.  Thank God that he works with us through his body, the Church, to accomplish these great things.