A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

The Paradox of Our Time

Dr. Karl Menninger, a famous psychiatrist, once gave a lecture on mental health and afterward answered questions from the audience. “What would you advise a person do to,” asked one man, “if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?” Most people expected the doctor to reply, “Consult a psychiatrist.” To their astonishment, he replied, “Lock up your house, go across the highway, find someone in need and do something to help that person.”

The Gospel message for this Sunday is about giving. Christ praises the poor widow who drops only two small coins in the treasury of the Temple, unlike the others who put in their surplus money. The poor widow received the praise of Jesus because she put her last money, though she was poor. Jesus said: “She gave all she had to live on.” The message of Jesus is very clear: Every person is capable of sharing no matter how poor or needy he is.

The paradox of our time in history is that we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses, but smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; more medicine, but less wellness.  We read too little, watch TV too much and pray seldom. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values.

These are the times of tall men, and short character; deep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but more broken homes. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years; we're cleaning up the air but polluting the soul.

Let us pray and try our best to reduce the paradox of our time.