Colors of October 2016 at Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth

COLORS LACK SOME OF THE BRILLIANCE OF LAST YEAR. 

BUT THEY SAY THERE ARE A HUNDRED HUES IN THE RAINBOW.

A VIEW FROM THE GROVE

THE GROVE

 CAMOUFLAGE  LEAF AND BLUE STONE

A CLUSTER

MUTED SHADES

A STAND ALONE 

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Luke 18: 9-14

Jesus' parable (Luke 18: 9-14) encourages humble prayer.   My contemporary parable describes the postures of the Pharisee and tax collector with a different image.    

...........In contemporary society to discuss the contrast between prideful and humble postures, Jesus might use a different image from that of the Pharisee and tax collector at prayer in the Temple.    Think of the sort of anonymous human behavior described in his parable, the two strangers acting so differently in a public place, the one boastful and contrasting himself to the meeker one.    Where in modern life does this type of contrast so often occur?  Let me suggest:

Two drivers are moving along the highway, the one in a big red Mercedes with the lights on, the other in a small VW.   As a sign of self-earned prosperity the Mercedes driver maneuvers along the crowded highway at high speed in the passing lane. But then the Mercedes is slowed by the VW driver moving at about the speed limit and passing a slower truck or two.   The Mercedes driver tailgates the VW, flashes the lights and finally sounds the horn, all this an arrogant expression of the Mercedes’ superiority.  The VW driver hastens to pass the trucks and moves into the right lane.   

Later down the highway the VW driver will not fail to notice the Mercedes driver stopped and delayed on the shoulder with the flashing lights of the State Police parked at the Mercedes rear bumper.   Passing on 
the VW will deliver its driver at the appointed time for a scheduled meeting.   “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

I drive an older car on the highway just about every week or so.    And I am not always so yielding either in thought or action to the tailgaters.  The truly humble driver would always assume an emergency in the car of the tailgater, a baby about to be born, for example......

CYO Track Meet at the Jesuit Center property

CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION TRACK MEET

on the grounds of the Jesuit Center

Sun breaks out to welcome runners on Sunday afternoon, October 9

Father Steve Isaac leads the prayer before the start of the CYO regional track meet at the Jesuit Center property.   Several age groups compete beginning here with the K-2nd grade girls.  This group basically ran around the building!    The 7th and 8th grade took on some hills and valleys.

 And they're off!

One runner approaches the finish line and her green colored medallion band!