Seventh Sunday of Ordinary time – Cycle A (February 23, 2014)

First reading: Lv. 19: 1-2, 17-18

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.  You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.  Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him.  Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.  You shall love you neighbor as yourself.  I am the Lord.’”
 

Second reading: 1 Cor. 3: 16-23

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

“Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their own ruses,’ And again: ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.’  So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Kephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.”

Gospel reading: Mt. 5: 38-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.  When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.  If anyone wants to go to law with you over a tunic, hand him your cloak as well.  Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.  Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate you enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?  Do not the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that?  Do not the pagans do the same?  So be perfect, just as you heavenly Father is perfect.”

Introductory theme summary:

Clearly, the running theme for today’s readings relates to us being holy as God is holy, thus we are reminded of the need to avoid sin, even, and most importantly, in circumstances where our fellow brothers and sisters sin against us because that is how we show ourselves to be true children of God.

Reflection:

Paul gives us the image of being the temple of God to stress our unique dignity in all creation.  He does so in the context of instructing us on our responsibility to ourselves in regard to that dignity.  We are the ones who are being charged with the responsibility for not destroying our own representation as the temple of God.  There is only one way for us to do that and that is to perpetuate a life of sin by neglecting to repent our sins and sinfulness.  Simply committing a sin is not the issue, but rather the complete disregard for the perpetual need for repentance, whenever we do sin, in order to continue the reformation of our lives to convey the holiness of being a temple of God, is.  However we may fall, we must never throw in the towel and give up, or worse, rationalize our sins as if to excuse ourselves from that responsibility.

The most important aspect of this observation concerns our relationships with those who could rightly be consider our enemies.  They distinguish themselves as such by deliberately set themselves against our ways of faith without us having done anything to provoke them, other than simply practice our faith.  It is never justifiable to oppose anyone simply because of faith.  Even should one disagree on any of the many principals of faith, a respectful acknowledgement of difference in order to foster a mutually accepting environment is still required by everyone.  No one can claim an authentic faith in God without also perpetuating peace.  This should be a condition for all claims of faith to be considered authentic in any religion.

When faced with these great challenges, we are given the rare opportunity to participate in furthering the salvation of the world.  As Catholics we recognize that the Lord sacrifice on the cross is a continuous one, and when we are confronted with these opportunities to suffer as he did, we can join our sufferings with his and, as Paul says,[1] make up for what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.  When we do this we are fulfilling our role as a member of His Body, and there-by show ourselves as true children of God.  This is why ‘true’ children of God must: turn the other cheek, give up their coat, go the extra mile, give when asked, and lend if compelled so.  In all ways we are to show ourselves to be truly like God who provides for the life of all, even the evil and disobedient.

Come, let us be true children of God and accept the responsibility to live our faith, even in these greatest of challenges.

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[1][1] Col. 1: 24  “In my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church.”

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time – Cycle A (February, 16 2014)

First reading: Sir. 15: -15-20

“If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will.  There are set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.  Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him.  Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing.  The eyes of God see all he has made; he understands man’s every deed.  No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies.”
 

Second reading: 1 Cor. 2:6-10

“Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.  Rather we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  But as it is written: ‘What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,’ this God had revealed to us through the Spirit.  For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God."
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37 (Short form)

“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’  But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.

“You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall no commit adultery.’  But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

“Again you have heard that is was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’  But I say to you, do not swear at all.  Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’  Anything more is from the evil one.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

Appropriate for our society that presumes upon God’s gift of salvation, we again have another message that points to the necessity of repentance and reforming our lives.

Reflection:

In the first reading we have a clear indication of why it is necessary for us to repent our sins.  God, in His infinite wisdom, permits everyone the liberty to choose between life and death.  In our fallen state of knowing good and evil, we have ready access to each.  Considering all have sinned, there remains the necessity of a choice by us in order to avoid the consequence of death.   Only repentance serves as the real indication of having chosen life.  This passage concludes with a statement meant to confirm there is no rational for supporting the commission of any sin, and does so after assuring everyone that God will indeed grant death to those who do not repent. 

In the gospel reading we have an even clearer indication of the measure of moral observation expected from us.  It isn’t enough for us to simply avoid the actions that are obviously sinful.  We are also expected to adhere to an interior observation of moral conformity.  This is first characterized by the Lord’s reference to the Scribes and Pharisees, who analyzed the letter of the law in order to display an external observation of it, while failing to understand the spirit of the law and there by accomplish its interior objective. 

He then gives three specific examples of this principal as it relates to everyday conduct: anger, lasciviousness, and deception. 

In the first case Jesus draws a correlation between the severity of murder and the interior disposition of harboring anger toward another, and declares that one doesn’t have to go as far as murder to deserve God’s wrath.  Harboring anger in our heart murders one’s love for the person who is the object that anger, filling the void with hate.  Murdering love in one’s heart accomplishes the exclusion of God, who is love.  Shutting out God invites His wrath upon one’s self.
In the second case Jesus instructs us on the importance of chastity.  By pointing out the interior origin of adultery, Jesus emphasizes the severity of neglecting the virtue of chastity.  A very relevant message for us today considering how drastically we have departed from the traditional values regarding sexuality.  Do we really think God has changed his rules for morality, which have been in place for so many centuries and bound so many people?

The third case seems minor in comparison but actually, the dishonesty of deception is considerably graver than most people consider.  God is truth, and any contradiction of truth is a direct opposition to God.  Directly opposing God makes one His enemy.  Try as one may, no one can stand against God.

Finally, perhaps surprising for many, the second reading points to the greatest significance of interior purity, which is to prepare us for intimacy with God.  Each one of these specific virtues are essential to an authentic intimate relationship with God.  It is only by a purified interior being that anyone can accurately follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit so as to perceive even the depths of God.  Our Lord said, “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”  (Mt. 5:8)

Come, let us show God our faith is true.  Instead of continuing to rationalize our sins and sinfulness, let us pay God the respect He deserves and actually repent them as a matter of authenticity in belief.  For He who is holy calls those who believe in Him to a life of holiness!

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary time - Cycle A (February 9, 2014)

First reading: Is. 58: 7-10

“Share your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: here I am!  If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.”
 

Second reading: 1 Cor. 2: 1-5

“When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.  I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive [words of] wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.”
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 5: 13-16

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?  It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.  Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

 

Introductory theme question:

We are the light of the world, but what exactly is meant by the metaphor of light?  Is it simply performing charitable works of mercy as described above, or is there more to it then that?

 

Reflection:

In this day and age where Christian values are commonly understood, they are often ‘used’ to convey the impression of ‘being good’ in order to promote a certain type of ‘image’ of one’s self for some self-serving reason.  Yet the Lord said to not perform your good deeds so as to be seen, because that is what the hypocrites do.  Clearly, there must be a deeper level meant by the metaphor of conveying our light through our deeds than simply performing charitable works of mercy.

If we consider the first reading we must project what type of society those works were being performed in, to appreciate them as light.  It was a society of extremely sinful behaviors that completely lacked our basis for belief in eternal life – the life, teaching and resurrection of Jesus Christ giving validation to his words.  For them to perform deeds consistent with our Christian faith without all the helps our position in time affords, it is truly remarkable and thus warranting the correlation with signs of light.

For us in our time to achieve the same distinction we must do more than simply perform these works so that they may be seen.  We must embody the spirit of charity to actually convey light through these deeds.  We have no need to look any further that Paul’s description in 1 Cor. 13: 4-7.

“Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it sin not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

This is the spirit we need to display through our works in order to represent the light to the world.  In addition we must perform these works without fanfare.  A perfect validation of this principal is our Lord’s use of a single candle for his explanation.  A single candle can only give off a small amount of light, very modest in itself.  Consistent with this image we are to display our examples simply in our day to day lives without going out of our way or making special efforts: whenever the daily circumstance of life presents us with opportunities to perform those charitable deeds.  In other words, when we find ourselves ‘put on the spot.’  Yes… when we don’t expect it, and… when it isn’t convenient for us to perform them.  Then, is when our charitable works of mercy performed with a true spirit of charity become authentic deeds of light for the world to see!

Come, let us be true lights for the world to see, and by that we can actually show that Christianity truly does work, one person at a time.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary time - Cycle A (February 2, 2014)

Special note: Instead of the “Presentation of the Lord,” this Sunday’s reading come from the fourth Sunday of Ordinary time.  My apologies for any disappointment.

First reading: Zep. 2:3; 3:12-13

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”

“But I will leave a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the remnant of Israel.  They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.”

Second reading: 1 Cor. 1:26-31

“Consider your own calling, brothers.  Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.  It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written ‘Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.’”

Gospel reading: Mt. 5:1-12a

“When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when they insult you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’”
 

Introductory theme summary:

Rather than reflect on the many items listed in the famous “Beatitudes” from our Lord’s “Sermon on the Mount,” which couldn’t help but become too excessively long for this blog, it would be better to address the principals mentioned by Paul in the second reading. 

Reflection:

These words, “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God,” are truly some of the most overlooked principals of New Testament thought today.  What will surprise people most is realizing they are as relevant today as they were to their contemporaries; perhaps even more so. 

Let’s start with the weak and the strong!  Everywhere throughout our society we celebrate and reward strength.  Professional athletes are paid outrageously high salaries.  Olympians are treated as royalty, and if they win a gold medal become financially set for life through commercial endorsements.  Our esteem of strength isn’t limited to the physical, it also applies to power such as people who occupy positions of authority.  The President or CEO of a company enjoys the same financial compensations as professional athletes for example.  We are so committed to the competitive principals that separates those who are the strongest that we mock the fostering of equality by rewarding participation.  Do any of those scoffers consider the price of competitiveness?  To win, one must be willing to cause another to lose, and in most circumstances at any cost.  Ultimately, even the quality of one’s own personal being due to the obsessive behavior necessary to achieve at the highest levels that qualify for those astronomical salaries.  These principals are completely contrary to God’s kingdom.  Meanwhile, those who are too weak to succeed in these competitive arenas are left to pursue ordinary lives, which gives them ample time and opportunity to develop their personal beings to the likeness of God’s, should they hear such a call.  And, in so doing they will certainly become beloved of God while those who loved the world for the honors the world gave them will be found void of love for the Father.  Remember; “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world forfeit his life?”  (Mt. 16:26a)  Could there be a greater shame?

Now, let’s look at the foolish and the wise!  With our society’s advancements in education concerning the field of theology, our estimation of man’s capabilities in ascertaining truth through historical examination has grown exponentially.  In many cases this increase in the confidence of man’s capabilities has resulted in a unique kind of arrogance.  Modernism has increased in our society to such an extent that we presume the faculties to ignore the teachings that have come down to us through 2,000 years of tradition in order to change dogma as if we can rewrite the truth.  Do they really presume all those people were wrong for all those years?  One couldn’t make such an assertion without denying belief in the guidance of the Holy Spirit as our Lord promised; and as a result lose his/her Catholicity.  Perhaps they believe the apostles willfully and knowingly deceived their contemporaries so as to fraudulently represent God to the rest of humanity?  The first reading assures us that those who were to represent the remnant of God’s people through whom the Messiah would bring salvation to all humanity were going to be above such conduct.  Thus; one can hardly make such an accusation and at the same time claim authentic belief in Christianity.  Meanwhile, countless souls continue to practice the traditional Catholic devotions to our Lady and our Lord that typify the humility of the ancient holy ones.  Scholars today look down on these devotions as suitable – but only for the ignorant, as if to suggest there is no real merit in their practice; and as a result look on the people who practice them as a kind of fool.  They exempt themselves from needing to practice these devotions because of their own advanced knowledge, which equates to presumed wisdom.  Be assured . . . the proud will be humbled; and perhaps by the exultation of these very humble in their midst.

Finally, my personal favorite, the lowly and despised who count for nothing to reduce to nothing those who are something!   Everywhere you look, in all situations and circumstances, there are the overlooked and insignificant people.  No one seeks them out or at times even notices them.  Due to their complete lack of all worldly valued attributes they tend to disappear while in plain sight.  This ‘lacking’ is due to a genuine simplicity of being that is devoid of a spirit for greatness in the world, and it is by this characteristic that they are clearly known as “the poor in spirit;” to whom the kingdom belongs.  Meanwhile, the great of the world lavish the worldly glory of their preeminence in the world for their own sake.  In so doing they overlook the real purpose of power, leadership, and influence, which is specifically, and solely, for service.  In order to retain one’s place in the kingdom while becoming elevated to worldly greatness, one must accept the role of slave, or at least servant, in sole dedication to meeting the needs of all others.  There is no self-serving motivation permitted in God’s kingdom.  All attributes of greatness are given for the service of others, and never for the personal vanity of the individual recipient.  If the great of the world do not freely embrace their own complete insignificance, they will be caused to face their nothingness in retribution for their arrogance.

Come, let us stop pretending to give glory to the Lord and actually give God the glory by practicing a disposition of humility in regard to one’s self.  Let the strong show themselves as such by supporting the weak around them.  And, let us all see the true equality of everyone’s dignity despite any differences in distribution of gifts; for the dispensing of the choicest gifts offers the unique opportunity, and responsibility, to participate in God’s own providential love for humanity.