Mtr Mary Trainor

If thou but trust in God to guide thee…*

Dear friend,

Keep the main thing the main thing. It’s a fairly common saying, one that is easy to understand. Keep your priorities straight. Don’t forget what’s most important. Remember who you are.

Today the Church remembers Robert Grosseteste, a 13th century bishop of Lincoln; and the lectionary pairs this day with a passage from Luke’s Gospel in which Jesus talks about the things that lure us from a truer path: Money, importance, loyalty. Of loyalty, Jesus says when it comes to the large matters that govern our hearts and mind, we cannot serve two masters, such as God and wealth.

And hope in him through all thy ways …

Jesus speaks directly to the Pharisees, who Luke identifies as lovers of money: “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts….” 

The classic Gospel story about the rich man and Lazarus follows shortly after today’s verses. A quick refresher about Lazarus and the rich man: The latter lived the high life; the former starved at the gates of the rich man’s home. In the afterlife, their situations are reversed.

***

The folks in Grosseteste’s area of responsibility revered the bishop for his station, even placed him on some high pedestal due to his calling.

The bishop was, in fact, a man of means, in addition to a man of position. But these did not keep him from remembering who he was: A man of the people. As such, he wandered about in the places that they lived and worked, valuing accessibility over being important, finding no rural outpost too far to go in service to God.

He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee…

Balancing priorities is often a tough challenge. Many people, me included, can get all twisted up in keeping the main thing the main thing. But maybe it’s not a hopeless effort, trying to live in the world while staying focused on remaining fit for the kingdom.

Episcopal priest Sam Portaro shares a powerful reflection on Grosseteste in Brightest and Best. In the article, Portaro offers some words that fine-tune Jesus’ message:

“We are not to renounce worldly goods, but rather to serve God as our first priority, and to shape all subsequent actions according to that primary principle.”

And bear thee through the evil days …

Mtr Mary

*Number 635, The Hymnal 1982