Greetings on this the Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9; PS 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43; Lk 18:1-8
Notes:
Peace to Israel.
Peace to Palestine.
Peace to Russia.
Peace to Ukraine.
Lost in the vanity of war!
The Five Examples
First Example: Water Punishes the Egyptians and Benefits the Israelites (Wis 11)
Second Example: Animals Punish the Egyptians and Benefit the Israelites (Wis 11)
Third Example: A Rain of Manna for Israel Instead of the Plague of Storms (Wis 16)
Fourth Example: Darkness Afflicts the Egyptians, While the Israelites Have Light (Wis 17)
Fifth Example: Death of the Egyptian Firstborn; the Israelites Are Spared (Wis 18)
NABRE Commentary on the Book of Wisdom recapitulation of the Exodus in a particular way.
Few verses in chaps. 11–19 can be fully understood without consulting the passages in the Pentateuch which are indicated in the cross-references. The theme of this part of the book is expressed in v. 5 and is illustrated in the following chapters by five examples drawn from Exodus events. For by the things through which their foes were punished they in their need were benefited (Wis 11:5).
Summary
In our gospel portion today Jesus describes for us how even an unjust judge can be moved to do justice if even for the most base and self-interested of reasons. Even still, we have a loving God who hears our prayers and answers the prayers speedily. Pray without ceasing. While we cannot predict the time nor hour when the answer comes it will be at the right time, right place and right reason.
Reflection
The time the Israelites had stayed in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. At the end of four hundred and thirty years, on this very date, all the armies of the LORD left the land of Egypt (Ex 12:40-41). Divine timing is always a mystery. For the Hebrews in Egypt and looking back over it, 430 years is a very long time. It is through faith we persevere and hold onto the divine promises of Return, Forgiveness, Mercy and Love. I can cite the blesings found within the circumstances as sacred Scripture has documented for us. While it is true it cannot make pleasant the harsh realities that existed from time to time.
Helpful thought source: https://jwa.org/blog/risingvoices/flowers-auschwitz-power-jewish-tradition-and-hope
Personal Reflection
Disappointment not properly experienced can lead to resentment and disillusionment.
Yesterday I had to perform a graveside service for a veteran at the South Florida National Cemetery (SFNC). The veteran’s family I interviewed a week prior but I had very little contact with them before the service. The veteran suffered from alzheimer’s for eight years prior. It was in the shortest of moments I had the opportunity to speak with them prior to the service concerning this ‘death before death’. In a short time we were able to identify several joyful realizations about those eight years and his personhood and their personhood in what to an outsider is none of these things. But for those who reflect in hope and faith, see the beauty and love and mercy was most definitely there in the midst of the illness.
First Reading
The cloud overshadowed their camp; and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging: but of the Red Sea an unimpeded road, and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood. Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, after they beheld stupendous wonders.
Responsorial
Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
For he remembered his holy word
to his servant Abraham.
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
Gospel Acclamation
God has called us through the Gospel, to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry