Radical Charity is Alien to America

Greetings on this the Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Dt 10:12-22; PS 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20; Mt 17:22-27
Notes: In this age of American First (MAGA), we can lose sight of the call to radical charity.

The Lord was quite specific of what he requires. These are just a sample:

• No bribes.
• No favorites.
• Justice for orphans and widows (and abandoned women).
• Befriend Aliens.

Jesus is the exemplar of a most radical charity.

First reading
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and be no longer stiff-necked.

Radical charity requires a commitment of a very personal nature.

For the LORD, your God, is the God of gods,
the LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome,
who has no favorites, accepts no bribes;
who executes justice for the orphan and the widow,
and befriends the alien, feeding and clothing him.
So you too must befriend the alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.

Responsorial Psalm
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Alleluia Verse
God has called you through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Portion
As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.

The paying of the temple tax is a qualifier to the first prediction of Jesus’ death.

Although the tax is for foreigners, we will pay it, by Jesus and the Church.
Just as Jesus is without sin, he and the Church will pay the price of our redemption.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry