Greetings on this the Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Nm 20:1-13; 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 16:13-23
Notes: Don’t misconstrue my comments as to the suitability of men and women cohabitating. I am drawing out some substantial points from it.
Epic moment in movies: A boy and girl have been dating for a while and having dinner out together one night. The girl (our version today) brings out a key and says, “You should have a key to my place.”
Everyone in the movie house goes ‘Aaaawwww!”, except deacon who goes ‘eeeeek’.
It is every bit the substantial moment and our sentiments react instinctively.
She is for him.
He is for her.
The key to her heart has been given the boy. Her place of safety and her place of inner self are opened to the other of herself.
Hopefully it is done with the sense of importance and gravity of the access allowed.
He can now decide who can enter and who cannot enter.
He can dispense with or gather in anything he wants.
She now shares all her life with him.
Outside of marriage in modern times, a recipe to potential disaster. But I don’t want to dwell on that (mentioned for clarity).
From ancient times such rituals are common ways to get engaged and married.
It is both symbolic and efficacious:
- Symbolic action is the setting of a meal and the ritual dialog and handing over the key.
- Efficacious because it brings about the desired results. The power is now shared between them.
The hoped for outcome (not the same as the power given):
- Common self-giving (freely)
- Common life (fully)
- Having and rearing children (fruitfully)
- Permanence (forever)
The predicates:
- Does he know me?
- Does he love me?
- Is he capable of being an Other?
First reading
Meribah, place of contention, and Massah, place of trial.
It is true the Lord gets annoyed with our resistance to faith.
Even here we see again reference to Egypt being the preferred option.
Memories sure are short! I’m pretty sure the tourist pamphlet for Egyptian Slavery is a bit of a gloss over. Like an AirBNB gone bad.
Or it’s basic bribery. You know, kids finding the soft spot and working the parents until they get what they want?
Or we can take it at face value. They are hungry and thirsty and need help but ask like a cranky old man who hasn’t eaten since morning.
What is missing is more glaring?
With some latitude we can ask the same questions of the people and Moses/Aaron in regards to the relationship to the Lord:
- Common self-giving (freely)
- Common life (fully)
- Having and rearing children (fruitfully)
- Permanence (forever)
Responsorial Psalm
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Alleluia Verse
You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
Gospel Portion
Jesus and Peter. [Don’t get all new age on me here, stick with the purpose].
In a very real way experience the same ritual with the same importance.
The predicate asked:
- Does he know me?
- Does he love me?
- Is he capable of being an Other?
The outcome will be:
- Common self-giving (freely)
- Common life (fully)
- Having and rearing children (fruitfully)
- Permanence (forever)
Handing over the keys.
It is both symbolic and efficacious:
- Symbolic action is the setting of a meal and the ritual dialog and handing over the key.
- Efficacious because it brings about the desired results. The power is now shared between them.
Successful because it is of divine origin.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 