Procrastination

Greetings on this the Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Am 2:6-10, 13-16; PS 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23; Mt 8:18-22
Notes: The daily readings in ordinary time follow a pattern of sequences known as Year 1 and Year 2.
With Sunday readings following a pattern of A, B and C and weekday Year 1 and 2, we get interesting combinations every so often. Today is one of them.

But I wretched, most wretched, in the very commencement of my early youth, had begged chastity of Thee, and said, “Give me chastity and continency, only not yet.” For I feared lest Thou shouldest hear me soon, and soon cure me of the disease of concupiscence, which I wished to have satisfied, rather than extinguished. And I had wandered through crooked ways in a sacrilegious superstition, not indeed assured thereof, but as preferring it to the others which I did not seek religiously, but opposed maliciously. (Confessions, St Augustine, Book VIII, 17).

Sunday just past: Lk 9:51-62
The Would-be Followers of Jesus.

1. I will follow you wherever you go.
2. Let me go first and bury my father.
3. Let me say farewell to my family at home.

Today, Monday: Mt 8:18-22
The Would-be Followers of Jesus.

1. Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.
2. Let me go first and bury my father.

We also begin reading sequence in the Book of Amos. An introduction to the Prophet Amos and the book can be found here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/0

Religion without justice is an affront to the God of Israel and, far from appeasing God, can only provoke divine wrath (5:21–27; 8:4–10) (NABRE).

First reading
More than four:

1. They sell the just man for silver.
2. They sell the poor man for a pair of sandals.
3. They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth.
4. They force the lowly out of the way.
5. Son and father go to the same prostitute, profaning my holy name.
6. Upon garments taken in pledge they recline beside any altar.
7. The wine of those who have been fined they drink in the house of their god.

Beware, I will crush you into the ground as a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves.

Responsorial Psalm
Remember this, you who never think of God.

But to the wicked God says: “Why do you recite my commandments and profess my covenant with your mouth?

Alleluia Verse
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.

Gospel Portion
In today’s gospel portion we read about those who express interest in the work of Jesus and sort of want to follow him but find themselves unable to commit, that is, unable to turn in a new direction.

The list of errors in the book of Amos and the Responsorial Psalm (numbered 50) are quite lengthy.

Who among us hasn’t done one or another of these things (either directly or as social sin)? Is this holding you back?

1. I will follow you wherever you go – to which Jesus responds, in a manner of speaking, “Know what you are offering”. The mission life is a life where you give up even the bed of comfort.
2. Let me go first and bury my father – here the desire to maintain competing religious views. Jesus calls us to a living faith not one of wooden idols.
3. Let me say farewell to my family at home – to quote Elijah, “What have I done to you?” The mission life is not a goodbye but a good turning that benefits your family even as you go off to proclaim.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry