26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A (Sept. 28, 2014)

First reading: Ez. 18: 25-28

“Thus says the Lord: You say, ‘The Lord’s way is not fair!’  Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?  When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.  But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”

Second reading: Phil. 2: 1-5

“Brothers and sisters: If there is any encouragement in Christ, and solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.  Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.”
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 21: 28-32

“Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: ‘What is your opinion?  A man has two sons.  He came to the first and said, Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.  He said in reply, I will not, but afterwards changed his mind and went.  The man came to the other son and gave the same order.  He said in reply, Yes sir, but did not go.  Which of the two did his father’s will?’  They answered, ‘The first.’  Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.  When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did.  Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.’”

 

Introductory theme summary:

The common theme from today’s readings is the importance of our actions, works or deeds.  Whatever someone might say about themselves, it is only deemed true if what they say is supported by what they do. 

Reflection:

This theme is very much in line with why James tells us that faith without works is dead.[1]  So many people claim to believe in Christ, yet do none or very few of the things associated with believing in Him.  Who do they think they are fooling?  Regardless of how successful they may be at fooling the people in their day to day lives, they cannot fool God.  He will not be fooled.

So, why is it so importance to have works?

The simple fact is: our works, or deeds if you prefer, point to the authenticity of our true being.  We all know the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”  Though no deed or work can supersede the necessity of faith, if the claim of faith lacks works or deeds to support the claim, than the individual has yet to actually integrate what they believe for it to take root within themselves.  The desired effect is for those beliefs to cause a specific change within their being.  In short: It is not enough to believe, we must become what we believe and then we have salvation.

Has our Lord’s words taken root within you?

Are you living your life as a true Christian?

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[1] Jam. 2: 26 “For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A (Sept. 21, 2014)

First reading: Is. 55: 6-9

“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near.  Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.  As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

 

Second reading: Phil. 1: 20c-24, 27a

“Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.  If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.  And I do not know which I shall choose.  I am caught between the two.  I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.  Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.

“Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

 

Gospel reading: Mt. 20: 1-16a

“Jesus told his disciples this parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.  After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.  Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’  So they went off.  And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise.  Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’  They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’  He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’  When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’  When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.  So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.  And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’  He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you.  Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?  Take what is yours and go.  What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?  Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?  Are you envious because I am generous?’  Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

The common theme from today’s readings points to the need for us to conform ourselves to God’s ways.  In the first reading we have an admonishing for everyone to leave their sinful ways.  While the second reading gives us a glimpse of Paul’s conflict with his realization of the great difference between how things are hear and how things will be in heaven, he also admonishes us all to live our lives in a manner that is worthy of that reward.  Finally, the gospel gives us a very important lesson in respecting the absolute supreme righteousness of God’s judgment that may actually be very different from what we expect. 
 

Reflection:

The answer is for us to always be humble in our relationship with God.  As described in the first reading, God’s thoughts and ways are as far above our thoughts and ways as the heavens are above earth.  We are simply incapable of traversing that void.  Whatever someone might believe his/her standing with God is, he/she can still be wrong.  That is why we Catholics “trust in our hope” of salvation, rather than presuming to “know” we are saved.

This principal doesn’t just apply to our dealings with God.  This principle demands our humility at all times and in all circumstances of life.  No matter how certain of our rightness we might believe ourselves to be concerning any specific issue, we can still be wrong because our capacity for knowing will always be limited.   While God’s capacity is infinite.

This is especially important when dealing with the so called, “Things of the world.”  As the Creator of all things, nothing is outside the jurisdiction of God’s judgment.  Whether dealing with the issues of industry or any other aspect of the business world (just two examples of many), we must always remain humble in our decisions so as to avoid a just consequence for defying God’s authority by ignoring His condition for justice. 

Finally, the most precarious of all situations is representing God’s will as He desires it to be communicated to His people.  It is truly by committee that these “Truths” can be ascertained, which is why we have the apostolic succession.  Acting outside the community by contradicting orthodoxy earns one the distrust appropriate for excommunication.  This does not condemn the person, for those who do not understand.  It just designates that person’s theology as “outside the community” and those who follow their teachings, also follow them outside the community.  

Unfortunately, today’s society revels in arrogance.  Their saying is, “It’s not bragging whey you can do it.”  Uh . . . yes it is!!!  But what makes it arrogant is the exaggeration a person makes by attributing to their personal being a merit their capabilities deserve.  A person may have an extremely rare capability, such as star athletes and various entertainers, but those capabilities do not make them good people.  Consider the assortment of controversies among professional football players as a perfect example.

Humility, the lost virtue.  Oh how beautiful you are to those of us who labor, tirelessly, to actually BE good; for there is no greater example of humility than God’s – by being hidden.  

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A (Sept. 14, 2014)

First reading: Sir. 27:30 – 28:7

“Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.  The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.  Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.  Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?  Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins?  If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?  Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!  Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.”

 

Second reading: Rom. 14: 7-9

“Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.  For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”

 

Gospel reading: Mt. 18: 21-35

“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, ‘Lord, of my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive?  As many as seven times?’  Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.  That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.  When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.  Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.  At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.  Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.  When that servant had let, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount.  He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, pay back what you owe.  Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, be patient with me, and I will pay you back.  But he refused.  Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt.  Now his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.  His master summoned him and said to him, you wicked servant!  I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?  Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.  So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives you brother from your heart.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

The obvious common theme from today’s readings is the Lord’s judgment concerning our sins.  The surprising twist involves the need for us to forgive others if we want forgiveness for ourselves.

Reflection:

I don’t think there is a more important message in our Christian beliefs than the Lord’s instruction to forgive others.  He, who alone is the judge, tells us that we will not be forgiven if we do not forgive, and this forgiveness needs to come from our hearts.  It must be heart felt.  This forgiveness must resonate from our interior being. 

When I consider how so many, so called – Christians, in our society make it their mission to exact “justice” against those who are guilty, I cannot help but wonder where they actually stand with the Lord even though they are called “ministers.”  Not only are we to forgive, we are also expected to forbear injustices.  You know the saying, “Turn the other cheek”.[1]  I understand a non-Christian seeking justice, because they do not receive the Lord’s instruction, but not a Christian.  We who profess the Christian faith are held to a higher standard of beliefs.  It is up to us to show the world how true children of God behave.  Children of God do not seek revenge under the name “justice.”  That’s what the children of the world do. 

What are you; a child of God or a child of the world?

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[1][1] Mt. 5: 38-48; Lk. 6: 27-37.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A (Sept. 7, 2014)

First reading: Ez. 33: 7-9

“Thus says the Lord: You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.  If I tell the wicked, ‘O wicked one, you shall surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.  But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn fro his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.”

 

Second reading: Rom. 13: 8-10

“Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.”
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 18: 15-20

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.  If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.  If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.  If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.  Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

The theme common to all three readings is the need to conform our lives morally, to God’s ways.  In the first reading we have an example of both the need to not live sinful lives as well as the responsibility those who fulfill that need have to everyone else that doesn’t.  In the second reading we have the perfect antidote for conforming our sinful behavior to the laws or moral conduct – love; and finally, in the gospel we have Jesus instructing us on how to handle the unfortunate event of sins committed against others within the Church community.
 

Reflection:

This is a very difficult issue to practice in today’s society.  Due to the permissive attitude these days concerning sin, traditional moral standards are presumed no longer relevant.  Yet those of us who practice our faith by accepting our obligation to conform our behavior morally to God’s ways, as they have been taught to us through the ages – Traditional moral standards, we are accused of being judgmental should anyone express any concern over another person’s sinful choices.  An authentic faith in Christ cannot help but produce such an assessment.  Though we know we have forgiveness for our sins, we also know that repenting our sins is a matter of complying with the Lord’s call to salvation.[1]  No one has the liberty to continue sinning.[2]  And yet, so many so called “Christians” do that very thing.

This is not an easy answer!

No one has the right to judge another person, much less their faith, but everyone is expected to love their neighbor as themselves.  Those of us who do love our neighbors as well as conform ourselves morally, do not want anyone to suffer for their sins.  This very perspective is precisely where the answer to our obligation lies. 

It isn’t enough to tell someone that they are wrong, because that approach presumes they simply didn’t know and in most cases they already know what traditional morally believes to be wrong.  Instead, this is heard as an insult to their intelligence.  Try telling someone who smokes to quit smoking simply because it is bad for their health and they will tell you, “It isn’t that simple,” and walk away so irritated by the obvious ignorance as to their real condition that it will actually cause the exact opposite effect.  As a former smoker I can testify to this very thing.  This is the last effect someone who truly cares desires to cause.  When it comes to helping our fallen brothers and sisters we need to be better than that, by taking into consideration what their circumstance might actually be that leads them to persist in their sins. 

Conversely, we cannot allow any appearance of justifiable cause to lead us to substantiate that rational.  Sin is, and will always be, sin.  No one has permission to sin.[3]  Rationalization is probably the most common error employed for justification by those who persist in their sins.  Do not be deceived by it. 

So the answer lies in simply having a genuine loving concern for them and expressing that concern in a loving way, while at the same time respecting the liberty of their free will and the possibility of their simply needing more time to be able to arrive at conformity concerning that specific sin.  Everyone grows at their own rate and arrives at maturity in their own time. 

·         I would begin by humbly inquiring if that person is aware of the severity of their sin.

·         If so, humbly ask if you can help in any way; and if not, offer to explain in the form of a question such as: “Would you like (or allow) me to explain it for you?”, and then afterwards ask if you can help.

·         If no help (or even explanation) is desired than express your loving concern and then walk away without saying, “I’ll pray for you,” unless they specifically ask for that.  This profession can be heard as contemptuous, and therefore extremely unproductive in the way of affecting a conversion within them.  Whether they ask or not, however, do PRAY FOR THEM. 

This is how we can apply the practice of our common priesthood and prophecy in Christ, which is obligatory for all those who are baptized.  Especially for those Catholics who have been fully sanctified;[4] for by becoming so they become fully capable of fulfilling this function within the Body of Christ.[5]

Come, let us all express our loving concern for our neighbors in the single most difficult, but also most important, way; by helping them come to the purity of faith that is able to live by Christ’s loving Spirit that never sins.

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[1] Mk 1:15 “The kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe in the gospel.” 

[2] Rom. 6: 15-16 “What then?  Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?  Of course not!  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

[3] Sir. 15:20 “No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies.”

[4] By receiving Baptism and Confirmation, along with regular participation in the Sacraments of Reconciliation as needed and The Eucharist as able, from the Catholic Church

[5] Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no. 11: “With the sacrament of confirmation they are bound more completely to the church; they are enriched by a special strength of the Holy Spirit, and in this way are under more pressing obligation to spread the faith by word and deed as true witnesses of Christ.”

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A (Aug. 30, 2014)

First reading: Jer. 20: 7-9

“You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.  All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me.

“Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day.

“I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more.  But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.”

Second reading: Rom. 12: 1-2

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.  Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Gospel reading: Mt. 16: 21-27

“Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.  The Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, ‘God forbid, Lord!  No such thing shall ever happen to you.’  He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!  You are an obstacle to me.  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.’

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wishes to some after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  Or what can one give in exchange for his life?  For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

The theme common to all three readings this week addresses the demands of serving God’s will.  In the first reading we have Jeremiah giving his account of the difficulties he faced in his prophecy as well as the impossibility of him resisting God’s call to serve him.  In the second reading Paul gives us the instruction that we are to become living sacrifices for the Lord, and in the gospel reading we receive the conditions for discipleship by which we actually accomplish becoming so.

 

Reflection:

Considering so many people choose to apply their faith as the means for accomplishing a personally fulfilling life in time rather than strive to follow the conditions set forth for becoming a disciple of the Lord, many people are clearly either not hearing or responding to this call.  With the gospel message clearly indicating the necessity of accepting suffering and hardship, self-sacrifice and even loss, as an essential part of practicing Christianity faithfully; how acceptable is it, really, to use one’s faith in this world to obtain personal fulfillment in this life?  I suspect it isn’t acceptable at all.

Our Lord said; “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it.”  I can’t help but think of all those people whom our society celebrates for their remarkable achievements in the world: such as star athletes and famous actors for examples.  Even if they have faith in Jesus Christ, when applying these words of the Lord's, they will have to lose the lives they sought for themselves in this world in order to enter eternal life.  What then will they be?  Because the little ones are the greatest in the kingdom, they will be the greatest in eternity, not the great ones.  Will the egos of those great ones accept such a humble eternity in relationship to the greatness of the little ones?  Or, will they choose their pride over God and damn themselves?  As Paul said, “Their glory is in their shame.” (Php. 3:19)[1]

Don’t be seduced by the glories of the world.  They will only result in an eternity of regret!

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[1] Php. 3:18-19 “For many … conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction.  Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.”  Their minds are occupied with earthly things.”