Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: EPH 2:12-22; PS 85:9AB-10, 11-12, 13-14; LK 12:35-38
Note
Back from the Appalachian Trail. Photo Collection (partial): https://deacongerrypalermo.blog?s=SOBO
(SOBO = South Bound)
Reference
Good read on peace and justice: https://millennialjournal.com/2013/11/26/pope-francis-evangelii-gaudium-work-for-justice-at-heart-of-discipleship/
Summary
In our readings today we are given the divine goal in a distinct word: Peace. In the entire liturgical reading for the day, 10 instances. Peace is the imperative of the divine love. Man constantly divides the human family into clans, families, tribes, dominions, and countries. The division among us is deep, real and from time immemorial, that is, as early as the fall from grace.
Jesus came to (1) break down the dividing wall of enmity; and (2) abolish the law with its commandments and legal claims by way of the sacrifice of his Flesh. Uniting us as one flesh, not two, much as the gift of marriage offers but this time for all and at once. That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh” Genesis 2:24.
We have become fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.
Reflection
Peace is work. A particular work of vulnerability and acceptance. We struggle so mightily with these quotes: Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.
Why? Because kindness and truth are very difficult for us to co-express in our behavior side-by-side. We often consider them to be opposites. Yet, in the divine logic, Truth without kindness is cruelty. Kindness without truth is patronizing.
Why? Justice and peace are very difficult for us to co-exist in our behavior side-by-side. We often consider them to be opposites. Yet, in the divine logic, Justice without peace is revenge. Peace without justice is slavery.
To which Jesus says: hey, “Gird your loins and light your lamps”. To gird means to encircle yourself with a belt and to prepare is to do something difficult.
The belt is to surround yourself with the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together. The preparation is to grow into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Jesus promises that those who work together for peace: Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. You become the peace you work for. OR. You can continue to be a source of division.
Personal Reflection
The work I do for the kingdom can only be truly fruitful if it is built on/in/with the belt of the Church and impelled in the gift of the person of the Holy Spirit. Only then, with divine inspiration, can I imagine kindness and truth coexisting in me and justice and peace living in harmony in my proximity. It’s work. In the heart. It’s work. In the body. But it’s the work of the Father. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work (Jn 5:17).
Call to Action
Light your lamp! Let’s go! Consider ways to bring truth in kindness. Imagine ways you can be peace with justice.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102224.cfm
First Reading
For he is our peace, he made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his Flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one Body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Responsorial
The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Gospel Acclamation
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry