Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Readings: 1 Tm 1:15-17; Ps 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5 and 6-7; Lk 6:43-49
Notes: Sand castles at the beach are fun to make. The little ones (of which I was one) like being able to build something tall and pretty all by themselves! We’d build it and as the day went long, watch the waves smash against it as slowly it returns to the flat state when we started at sunrise. By the end of the day and it was time to go home, no trace remained.
In our adult life we know there is no durable thing without a solid foundation.
Solid in faith.
Solid in morals.
Solid in public ethics.
Forgiving error and forging newness in every relation.
It is not a haphazard set of goals.
It is not based on too lofty ideas as to fail at its start.
For this command which I am giving you today is not too wondrous or remote for you. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who will go up to the heavens to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may do it?” Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, “Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may do it?” No, it is something very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it. (Duet 30:11-14).
Noting the memorial we celebrate today, it is a similar problem.
Even in this age we suffer from the same problems that Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian faced. We need to be God’s instrument in helping the Church (and our country) find a prudent path between extremes of rigorism and laxity.
Following the law of love is the better path. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.
First Reading
Beloved: This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
[Paul addressing the LORD]: To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
He said thank you for saving me, a wretched sinner.
Responsorial
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
Who is like the LORD, our God,
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.
Gospel Acclamation
Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry