THIS ONE’S FOR THE BIRDS
Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
My dear encountered couples:
“Wherever the carcass is, there will the vultures gather.” What a strange thing to say. Jesus talks about the end of the world. He compares it to the flood at the time of Noah, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah during the lives of Abraham and Lot. And he reminds his listeners of what happened to Lot’s wife, the woman who looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
This is a very frightening passage. But maybe that is what we need to hear sometimes. For we can too easily forget about what is really important in our lives and get caught up in what will do us no good when our lives on earth come to an end.
Jesus does not want us to spiritually dry up and die. For if we do, we will be nothing but dead carcasses and lost souls when the door of eternity opens up for us. And if all we are is a carcass with no love of God in our spirit, then the vultures from hell which also are loveless will gather around us. And then what? I hate to think about it. But we occasionally must, if we don’t want it to happen to us.
Enjoy life. It was meant to be enjoyed - but not selfishly. Life and God’s gift of the world are meant to be shared with everyone and by everyone. Self—seeking and pleasure at the expense of others have ruined that. We are to do our best to put it all back in order.
First, we must put our own lives in order. Let God’s word and love put his life in you - and then you can be one to bring it to others. Never let yourself dry up spiritually and die. Don’t forget those frightening words of Jesus, “Wherever the carcass is, there will the vultures gather.”
