Family Troubles

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Gn 21:5, 8-20a; PS 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Mt 8:28-34
Notes: Pope Francis congratulated retired Pope Benedict XVI on the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

Faithful service.

Then Bishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was quoted as saying in the papal conclave to replace Pope Benedict XVI: When people read the story of Jesus knocking at the door most think he is trying to enter somewhere. I think he is knocking to get out! He wants to be freed from the confines of the Church and out to the existential periphery ‘in the world’. Open the horizon.

First reading
Abraham was greatly distressed,
especially on account of his son Ishmael.
But God said to Abraham: “Do not be distressed about the boy
or about your slave woman (Hagar).

God heard the boy’s cry,
and God’s messenger called to Hagar from heaven:
“What is the matter, Hagar?
Don’t be afraid; God has heard the boy’s cry in this plight of his.
Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand;
for I will make of him a great nation.”
Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.
She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink.

God was with the boy as he grew up.

Responsorial Psalm
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Alleluia Verse
The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Gospel Portion
Two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.
They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.

The Matthew version of this synoptic story is missing the demoniacs as being saved!
(Read the Mark (ch 5) and Luke (ch 8) versions to see what I mean.)

It is not an insensitivity thing.

It is an attempt to look at the whole of the community. The Girgashites, 7 Nations, the Clay People, Displaced and Discarded.

All are to be saved from the demons.
All invited to the peace of God’s kingdom.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry