Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Cor 6:1-11; Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; Lk 6:12-19
What are my priorities?
In our gospel portion today, we get a clear indication of Jesus’ priorities.
- He selected The Twelve, now called Apostles.
- Together, they came down from the mountain and saw a vast number of people waiting for him. They were from everywhere: all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
- The People wanted to to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured.
- Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.
In our first reading today, St Paul warns us of another set of inferior priorities:
- Instead, you inflict injustice and cheat, and this to brothers.
- A failure on your part that you have lawsuits against one another.
- Why [can’t you] rather put up with injustice?
- Why [can’t you] rather let yourselves be cheated?
Summary
In our sacred readings today, we are given the story of the priorities of Jesus: to heal and restore everyone in the power of God. Saint Paul gives us the counter priorities that can pollute the Church. No forbearance. No tolerance. Self-appointed judges of what is unjust and what is considered cheating. Paul contrasts that with true believers who are actually given the power to judge but judge rightly and compassionately and with the purpose of conversion of souls and healing of the body.
- If this is true: you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
- This cannot be true at the same time: Why [can’t you] rather put up with injustice? Why [can’t you] rather let yourselves be cheated?
Our psalmist, as he/she often does, gives us the balancing perspective. Because the Lord puts up with injustice and puts up with cheating [not being REACTING and being reactive and toxic], we are able to see and feel his benevolence and the comfort of his presence.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
Reflection
So, what are your priorities today? Revenge for injustice? Revenge for being cheated?
Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather let yourselves be cheated?
Instead, remember the love that sustains you and saves you. Recall, you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. Praise the One who came down from the mountain… for your good.
Personal Reflection
Today I will strive to remember the good and be tolerant of the usual and minor injustices and the constant cheating. In the end, what matters is the good, the true and the beautiful.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091024.cfm
First Reading
Why not rather put up with injustice?
Why not rather let yourselves be cheated?
You have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Responsorial
The Lord takes delight in his people.
Gospel Acclamation
I chose you from the world, That you may go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
Gospel
Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself.
And he came down with them [the Twelve he chose] and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry