Question of the Week - November 8, 2020, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Several years ago, I was a keynote presenter at the annual Salesian conference. The focus of my talk was forgiveness and reconciliation. At the beginning of the presentation, I shared that my husband and I were preparing to move from Michigan to Kentucky and that we would be paying the movers the going rate at the time, which was thirty-three cents a pound. Therefore, as Michael and I looked at every book, CD, a yard of fabric, dish, towel, and piece of clothing, our mantra became, “Is it worth paying thirty-three cents a pound to move?”
The Salesian audience loved the story, and I taught them a little refrain I wrote to drive the point home. Throughout the presentation, we sang: “Thirty-three cents a pound, thirty-three cents a pound. How much stuff do you want to lug around at thirty-three cents a pound?” I can still hear the group singing and laughing as we took an honest look at the topic at hand.
As I consider this week’s question, I hear God reminding me, “Travel light. Let go of what you do not need to hold on to, and be ready to move forward when I say the word.” Those thirty-three cents a pound today does not represent for me the books, CDs, fabric, clothes, and the like; it is more a representation of memories, regrets, past hurts, and wrong choices that I have continued to carry in my mind and heart long past the point of needing to do so.
Being prepared for the coming of the kingdom requires readiness of heart and mind and soul that comes through prayer, reflection, confession, and forgiveness of others and oneself. Acknowledging, confessing, and letting go of “our stuff” frees us to listen and respond when the bridegroom calls.
In the coming week, think about what your thirty-three cents a pound represents. What do you need to let go of that will help you to travel lightly and answer the bridegroom’s invitation?
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. Also, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.