THINK

Greetings on this the Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Rom 9:1-5; Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20; Lk 14:1-6
Notes: As I prepare to preach on Sunday, I am constantly looking backward and forward through the reading sequence to identify subtle and not so subtle themes within scripture. There is one theme I will bring out that I am constantly reminded of and in this current age so in need of refreshment. I’ll use some of this for Sunday. What I did not cover to day’s reflection are listed below here or you can watch on YouTube Sunday:

We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.
With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you
not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well.

Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?

JESUS WANTS US TO THINK.

• IS IT LAWFUL? Positive form: When is mercy lawful?
• WHO WOULD NOT? Positive form: When is the need for mercy obvious?

When you are not thinking: they were unable to answer his question. Our culture is over emphasizing reactive emotionality as the basis of conversation and action. Even truth becomes lifeless in the service of wrong (x-ref Garden of Eden, Jesus in the Desert).

• So far afield we have come that we would think mercy is UNLAWFUL.
• And, again, LAWFUL makes it OPTIONAL. How did we get there?
• Even still, so far afield we have come that we need reminders to ACT MERCIFULLY WHEN WE CAN SEE THE NEED.
• And, again, If I can’t see it, makes it OPTIONAL. How did we get there? (People cry out and Animals are thirsty whether we see them/hear them or not, Jesus hints).

Jesus requires us to think.

One week ago today, Jesus asked: “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?”

Recent: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/10/27/wrong-again/

• Sacred Scripture, particularly, the words gospel places in the mouth of Jesus.
• Catechism – an excellent compendium.
• Church Teaching- extension of the application.
• Preaching – localized application.
• Teaching – renewal of thinking. Exercising the brain and soulful being – unified!
• Modelling – I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. (Jn 13:15).

Get out of the reactive, emotionality nonsense.

Isn’t that the point of the Synod on Synodality?

During the Synod on Synodality, all Catholics are invited to listen with open hearts and minds, to share from their own lived experiences, and to make space for the voices of those often marginalized or excluded. (https://catholicsmobilizing.org/)

We risk being ossified and calcified when we refuse to think and allow the Holy Spirit to open our minds, anew.

THINK.

First Reading
Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.

Responsorial
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Gospel Acclamation
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

Gospel
In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry