Even Keel

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jas 4:13-17; Ps 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11; Mk 9:38-40

Notes

Due to our own weakness, there is a consistent pressure to ‘own God’. The Church has long experience in these matters and tries time and again to keep an ‘even keel‘ by way of instruction and correction of the occasional excesses of the clergy and laity. So in this continuation of ordinary time and in an election year here are a few items from Canon Law to help keep an even keel. YOu can find the Canon Law here: https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/cic_index_en.html

• Can. 208 From their rebirth in Christ, there exists among all the Christian faithful a true equality regarding dignity and action by which they all cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ according to each one’s own condition and function.
• Can. 209 §1. The Christian faithful, even in their own manner of acting, are always obliged to maintain communion with the Church.
• Can. 211 All the Christian faithful have the duty and right to work so that the divine message of salvation more and more reaches all people in every age and in every land.
• Can. 219 All the Christian faithful have the right to be free from any kind of coercion in choosing a state of life.
• Can. 220 No one is permitted to harm illegitimately the good reputation which a person possesses nor to injure the right of any person to protect his or her own privacy.
• Can. 222 §2. They are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources.
• Can. 227 The lay Christian faithful have the right to have recognized that freedom which all citizens have in the affairs of the earthly city. When using that same freedom, however, they are to take care that their actions are imbued with the spirit of the gospel and are to heed the doctrine set forth by the magisterium of the Church. In matters of opinion, moreover, they are to avoid setting forth their own opinion as the doctrine of the Church.

Summary

In our gospel portion today the disciples were more than ready to judge and expel at the slightest hint of nonconformity, “we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.“
In other places of the gospel message a more dramatic effort was attempted. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them (Luke 9:54-55).

We are called constantly to be grounded.

Foundational Facts

1. From the psalmist today: Yet in no way can a man redeem himself, or pay his own ransom to God; Too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough to remain alive always and not see destruction.
2. From the gospel today: Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
3. From the first reading today: you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.

Theologically Expressed

1. Redemption comes from the Lord. We are all in need of salvation.
2. Judging others who act justly in life are not obliged to see things ae you see them.
3. You and I are very temporary. Our actions and opinions must be moderated to the reality we don’t know it all and we control very little beside ourselves (actions and thoughts).

Reflection

It is no coincidence that the Church explicitly says: In matters of opinion, moreover, they are to avoid setting forth their own opinion as the doctrine of the Church.

Of course, as a instinctual response, everyone will cite the sentence before stating: When using that same freedom, however, they are to take care that their actions are imbued with the spirit of the gospel and are to heed the doctrine set forth by the magisterium of the Church. For opinionated people, using the ‘heed the doctrine set forth by the magisterium of the Church‘ heavily and the ‘spirit of the gospel‘ lightly.

It is critical to note: there is no doctrine without the gospel message. Therefore, which is of higher importance?

Personal Reflection

It is impossible to communicate without your own opinion. Sharing opinions is a good and fruitful action. Yet, I must, as we all must, moderate our opinion in the spirit of the gospel first and foremost.

First Reading

Instead you should say, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.”

Responsorial

Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Gospel Acclamation

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

Gospel

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry