Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jl 4:12-21; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Lk 11:27-28
Notes: Our readings could hardly be more appropriate in this current time.
The counter offensive has begun. The table was set. The confrontation has become the master. In this day and age, rationalization is the supreme logical fallacy. Hammas started this. Israel will finish it. Many more will die. Rationalization rules the hearts of men.
At the level of sovereignty and the right of a Nation-State, none argue against the counter attack.
[Jesus,] He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
In our first reading, the prophet Joel certainly comes to the defense of Israel which I show below. But it is in this context: It shall come to pass.
It shall come to pass I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even upon your male and female servants, in those days, I will pour out my spirit (Jl 3:1-2).
Which of these, which of these, is the spirit of God? The movement of the body or the movement of the spirit? How does the LORD want this resolved?
But even these you spared, since they were but mortals and sent wasps as forerunners of your army that they might exterminate them by degrees. Not that you were without power to have the wicked vanquished in battle by the righteous, or wiped out at once by terrible beasts or by one decisive word; But condemning them by degrees, you gave them space for repentance (Wis 12:8-10a).
Here these words again.
While Jesus was speaking,
a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
"Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed."
He replied, "Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it."
Is it the natural birth of the highest order of value or is it the obedience to G-d the superior? Rationalization or the pouring out of the spirit?
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (PS 34:15).
Peace upon Israel. This is such a horrible situation. Act, as you must. Do not allow demon War infect you.
First Reading
The LORD roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem raises his voice; The heavens and the earth quake, but the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the children of Israel. Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain; Jerusalem shall be holy. Because of violence done to the people of Judah, because they shed innocent blood in their land.
Responsorial
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
Gospel
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry