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13th Sunday |
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Contents: Volume 2 1. -- Lanie LeBlanc OP - < lanie@leblanc.one>2. -- Fr. Jude Siciliano OP - <FrJude@JudeOP.org> 3. -- Elaine H. Ireland <ehireland@gmail.com>
4. --
Carmen Mele OP <cmeleop@yahoo.com>
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Blessings, Dr. Lanie LeBlanc OP Southern Dominican Laity
****************************************************** From today’s 2 Kings reading:
One day Elisha come to Shunem where there was a woman of influence, who urged him to dine with her.
Reflection:
During the first part of our celebration today we, like the Shunemite woman welcomed God’s Word into our “home” – we made room for it in our hearts. As Scripture reminds us, the Word blossoms there with a promise of new life. God sends prophetic people to speak the Word to us, but remember, prophetic people don’t always fit into official categories; they aren’t always bearing an institutional stamp of approval. Yet, God often comes to us in the other and through people who are strangers.
So, we ask ourselves:
· Who comes bearing the Word of God to me? · Do they comfort, or challenge me with their message?
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
Fr. Jude Siciliano OP - <FrJude@JudeOP.org>
****************************************************** When I first reflected on this passage several years ago, it seemed contradictory. The first part sounds really harsh, even more so if you read it in Luke 14 (“hating father and mother, daughter and son”). I would think for many of Jesus’ early followers this would be a hard thing to accept, and likely confusing, given the fifth commandment. The cup of cold-water route, though? “Lord—no problema! I’ll even throw in a meal and a place to sleep! And I’ll still get my reward? Easy-peasy!” But we recall who Jesus is speaking to here: the Apostles who have been commissioned as missionaries in the Jewish tradition of the shaliah, an emissary sent to speak for and act on behalf of the master; the ones who have been with him from the outset and should at least be starting to get an idea what following Jesus is all about (although Peter’s statement of Jesus as the Messiah doesn’t happen until Chapter 16. Perhaps Peter starts to get a clearer picture in tomorrow’s gospel.) These guys have been around for some of Jesus’ healings, the raising of Jarius’ daughter, and the driving out of demons, and here, Jesus is sending them out to do the same! Wow! That’s heady stuff, and even though Jesus warns them of persecutions to come, I wonder if they really get what it means to follow Christ. I wonder if I do. Do you? Elaine H. Ireland <ehireland@gmail.com>
****************************************************** 4. ****************************************************** THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (II Kings 4:8-11, 14-16; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42)
With the semi-quincentennial of our nation fast approaching, we should express our gratitude for both our country, whether by birth or adoption, and for our Catholic faith. We can add that we will be loyal to both. Our participation in American society has secured for us the rights necessary to live with dignity. And our baptism has bestowed upon us the inheritance of eternal life.
Today, the Catholic Church is the largest religious community in the United States. The current vice president is Catholic, as was the previous president. A majority of the Supreme Court justices are Catholic, as are many members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Many Catholics have given their lives in defense of this country.
However, Catholics were not always welcome in American society. During the colonial era, their presence was prohibited. Although the Constitution guaranteed religious freedom, in the years leading up to the Civil War, a political party emerged to limit the influence of Catholics. After the war, the Ku Klux Klan... The Ku Klan first directed its hatred against African Americans, and then against Catholics and Jews. And when John Kennedy ran for president, he had to face the odious accusation that he would obey the Pope rather than the laws of the land.
This last accusation touches on a comment Jesus made in today's Gospel. When he says, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me," we could substitute "father or mother" with "nation." The Catechism addresses obligations toward the government within its explanation of the Fourth Commandment ( nos . 2234-2257)
Is this true? Should we love Jesus more than our country? Absolutely!
Generally, there is no conflict between these two loves. Love of country, that is, patriotism, is linked to our participation in earthly society. Meanwhile, love of God is linked to our participation in eternal society. They are two loves with distinct focuses, so that we can have both. It's like belonging to both a labor union and the Knights of Columbus. In fact, the two loves support each other. While earthly society guarantees the freedom to worship God, eternal society insists that its members be righteous and honest citizens of earthly society.
There is another reason to assert that these two societies should not come into conflict. God is the supreme common good. Therefore, when we honor God with all our hearts, we contribute to the common good, which is precisely the purpose of civil government.
Unfortunately, sooner or later conflicts arise between the State and God. For some time now, legislative proposals have been circulating that would compel doctors to perform abortions or, at least, to refer pregnant women to those who do. Both actions are incompatible with our faith. Likewise, we occasionally hear proposals that would require priests to reveal what they hear in the Sacrament of Reconciliation regarding child abuse. I must say that I would never violate the seal of confession for any reason, and I hope that no other priest would either.
It is part of our love for God to obey Him when He speaks to us through a conscience formed by faith. Our stance should be similar to that of then-candidate John Kennedy. When asked if it was possible for him to follow his faith instead of the law, he replied, "If the time should come—and I do not foresee the slightest possibility of conflict—when my office would require me to violate my conscience or the national interest, then I would resign."
Let us conclude with the words of a saint about what we should do when a conflict arises between faith and government. Saint Thomas More was about to be beheaded for refusing to acknowledge the king as head of the Church. He declared, “I die a good servant of the King, but first of God.”
Carmen Mele OP <cmeleop@yahoo.com>
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A service of The Order of Preachers,
The Dominicans. (form revised 10/13/2025) |
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