OPEN-SAYS-AH-ME!

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Gn 13:2, 5-18; PS 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5; Mt 7:6, 12-14
Notes: Most Jewish theologians are very uncomfortable with the ways in which we use this first reading. The most ordinary way it is taught (in Christianity) is to cast Abram and Lot as making distinctly different decisions, one good and one evil.

This part is good:

• Abram – deferred to Lot as to making a choice.
• Abram – trusted the Lord that whatever was to be for him would be sufficient.
• Abram – was generous.
• Lot – made the choice, a responsibility he was given.
• Both wanted to keep the peace.
• Abram looked to heaven for aid.
• Lot used his natural discernment to choose.

It is reasonable to say we should trust the Lord in all our decisions and that our natural decisions based on the senses is wrong sometimes. Yet either way, troubles come. Yet either way, spiritual growth is necessary.

The part not so good:

• Lot made his decision with tolerance for evil.
• Lot made his choice on selfish criteria.

It is not reasonable to say Lot was evil or of an inferior righteousness, per se. The discomfort comes in how this story is leveraged going forward and the tragedy of Sodom and Gomorrah and beyond, the Moabites and Ammonites, in sacred Scripture.

First reading
Abram looked to heaven for his future.
Once he settled in, there he built an altar to the LORD.

Wherever you land.
Wherever you are.

Build an altar unto the Lord.
Be right with Him.

Responsorial Psalm
He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Alleluia Verse
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel Portion
I get allergy shots weekly.

The front door to the building has an electric sensor and will open automatically as you approach. After years of passing through these doors I have perfected a skit that delights all who witness it.

Just as I approach the doors, I spread my arms and in my best Charlton Heston I project:

OPEN-SAYS-AH-ME!

I get lots of giggles by everyone.
Given this is a medical services building for many the only giggle of the day.

Gates (and doors) have lots of functions but first among them is to make a choice.
We can choose to pass through a gate or choose to not pass through a gate.

There are many types of gates:

• Wide
• Narrow
• Tall
• Short

They have many different qualities:

• Opaque
• Transparent
• Heavy
• Light

They have two states:

• Open
• Closed

They can be accessible:

• Locked
• Unlocked

Key among all of these facts it whether we want to go through the gate or not.

In regards to how we live our lives there are really two choices available:

• Live Rightly (righteous)
• Live Selfishly

The scripture selected today talks to Light and Pearls.
Recognize the Light that is Christ and the Pearls which is the Gospel.

Don’t squander them.
But here is the really hard part:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.

Who is the DOG? Who is the SWINE?
Note: contemporary descriptors for contemptable Gentiles.
If you were a DOG what would you want them to ignore your situation?

Jesus sets a high bar in the discernment of the treatment of people.

Wherever you land.
Wherever you are.

Build an altar unto the Lord.
Be right with Him.

OPEN-SAYS-AH-ME!

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry