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24th SUNDAY |
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Dear Preachers: DID YOU KNOW: we have over 50 book reviews on our preaching webpage? Check it out. Go to: https://preacherexchange.com/index.htm and click on “Book Reviews” on the left. While you are there look around at our other features in Spanish and English related to preaching.
We have heard from St. James these past 2 Sundays. Last week he called his Christian community to care for the poor and to avoid favoritism by honoring the rich and shunning the poor. He wasn’t just talking about how we should treat others in society, but in our very Christian congregation as we gather for prayer. If we show partiality we divide the community, segregating the wealthy from the poor, and the poor from the wealthy. To favor the wealthy is to be one with the rich. That places us contrary to God’s will.
Today James tells us what else will divide the community: mere cheery words of encouragement to those lacking clothes, food and warmth. “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well.” Such attitudes are contrary to the heart of the Scripture. We are not talking here of ritual purity and dogma. The Scriptures first stress care for the poor and needy. The Israelites were delivered from slavery and as acknowledgment of the God who saved them they were, in turn, to show mercy to the poor in their midst. The stranger was not to be treated as an outsider, but with compassion and kindness. When Israel was a “stranger” in Egypt that’s what God did for them. Does that say anything to us modern Christians on how we are to treat the “stranger,” – exile and refugee – in our midst?
Mark’s gospel is terse and moves rapidly. Jesus has called his disciples, begun preaching, performed miracles, and drawn crowds. But he also has opposition from the religious officials whose authority he has challenged. Things are moving along quite quickly. Today we are at a core moment in Mark, as Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” From the answers they give him it is obvious he has stirred the hopes of his Jewish listeners. Some believe he is John the Baptist, others Elijah, “still others one of the prophets.” He could not be more popular than that! People have seen in him expectations of a new deliverance from tyranny and a restoration to favor with God.
Jesus continues to probe as he asks, “But who do you say I am?” Peter makes a confession of faith, “You are the Christ.” But we know Peter’s notion of who the Messiah will be does not tally with Jesus’ identity and intentions. Jesus seems harsh in his response to Peter. It is also hard for us to hear what Jesus says after his rebuke. They never would have imagined that the One God had anointed to save the people would have to suffer. Add to that the disturbing announcement that anyone who wishes to follow and serve Christ must also suffer.
The passage certainly is contrary to any pietistic paintings we recall of Christ, and those gathered around him, illumined by a light from heaven. Or, images of angels hovering over Christ to protect him. Because, as he predicts, he will face harm and so will those who answer his invitation to follow. If we understand the meaning of his suffering we will then be able to hear his call to us.
A question for those of us who gather in worship is: while we pray and confess Jesus our saving Lord, do we also confess our faith in the Jesus revealed in our passage from Mark today? As we hear the Scriptures proclaimed Jesus is also renewing his call to us to follow him. The call has not changed over 2000 years; it is alive for us right now.
We have the tendency to dilute the intensity of Jesus’ call. We might say: “The radical meaning of Jesus’ invitation was meant for that first round of disciples. Popular descriptions of Jesus in the media and public forums make him sound like a nice guy, available as a “soft touch.” “Sweet and gentle Jesus,” does not sound that concerned about our messed-up world. Nor does he seem to be calling us to get our hands dirty addressing issues that are difficult and costly to us. If these are our images of Jesus then we might take the call of Jesus to require only slight modifications in our usual routines.
Giving our “Yes” to following Jesus and acknowledging him as the Christ is not a past tense decision. Each day, in some way, we have to say, “Yes” again to the call Christ speaks to us; act on what we hear and suffer the consequences that “Yes” may require.
Jesus embraced the poor, ate with outcasts, healed the sick, challenged the bigots and forgave sinners. If we are his followers we are to do the same. And when we do we must be prepared to suffer the consequences of our words and actions, just as he did. Following Christ is not something we take on by ourselves. Jesus has promised to pour out his Spirit to empower and guide us. He has also given himself to us as food for our difficult journey. That is why we come together to worship; to let Jesus fulfill the promise he has made to us.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091524.cfm
Retreats for Religious Sisters, Brothers and Priests
Patricia Bruno, OP and Jude Siciliano, OP have designed scriptural retreats which include contemplative prayer, poetry and ritual. We have openings in the new year.
If interested contact: Sr. Patricia: 510-295-8262 (bruno2017@Gmail.com) Or Fr. Jude: 917-656-4767 (frjude@judeop.org)
God opens my ear that I may hear —Isaiah 50: 4
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and, five minutes later, you cannot remember what it is you discussed? Setting aside a medical problem, this form of non-listening can occur quite often in our everyday lives. Active listening, where you turn your attention completely and fully on the other person’s verbal thoughts, takes some practice. It requires a person to set aside their own thoughts and agendas in order to be more fully present to the other. All the senses are used in the Bible to express how God is experienced and so it is with ears. The Word of God (Christ the Logos) enters the mind through the ear because many people of biblical times could not read and received instruction verbally. Open ears were hearing ears and a gift of God. To awake the ears was to make someone teachable as we read in the above passage. However, to really “hear” God takes active listening on our part.
I can write until my fingers get worn out about the works of social justice as integral to Catholic Christian spirituality and still not be able to penetrate your own hearing. And so, this week, I offer this small reflection from The Brevard Breakfast Club in hopes that God will let the words sink into your ears and go straight to your heart:
Are you hearing God? To respond, contact: socialconcern@hnojnc.org
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home. From today’s Gospel reading:
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. ...looking at his disciples Jesus rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Reflection:
Jesus rejected Peter’s hope for a messiah of political and military might. Instead, Jesus manifested a different kind of power by choosing to be with us in our frailty, searching and suffering, giving us the hope that he could raise us up with new life.
So, we ask ourselves:
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out.” ---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
----Central Prison, P.O. 247, Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/ - On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
“First Impressions” is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, send a note to Fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org.
If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.:
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Individual CDs for each Liturgical Year, A, B or C. One combined CD for “Liturgical Years A, B and C.
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