Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin
Readings: Exodus 1:8-14, 22; Psalm 124:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8; Matthew 10:34—11:1
Summary
Specific to the sacred readings today I wish to ask you to read this post (see link). It is based on a 1974 article Exodus and Exile: The Two Faces of Liberation by John H. Yoder. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/07/17/refactoring-relations/
If you don’t have the time, here is my concluding reflection from July 17, 2023.
Jesus did not offer a course of bloodshed but of dividing and refactoring relations with a divine love. Alliance, advantage and acquisition are not the right binding mortar between us, love is, to this Jesus sets the sword.
For my reflection today, I will focus on the intersection between the readings and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin. For a beautiful reflection on Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, see my frandciscan media friends: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-kateri-tekakwitha/
Reflection
Kateri Tekakwitha had great love for her people, a Mohawk clan, the boldest and fiercest of the Five Nations. She loved them to the end and prayed for their conversion with great intensity and fervor – a suffering love. She was quite aware of the failings of man, and of failings of Churchmen. But she saw something more. The Christ of Jesus. The servant who is master.
I am resisting the desire to reflect on the modern parallels to the pre-Exodus events and the horrible treatment of the children of Israel even to the point where the Egyptians reduced the Israelites to cruel slavery. Pharaoh then commanded all his people, “Throw into the Nile every boy that is born, but you may let all the girls live.” (EX 1:13, 22).
Kateri resists seeing only the loathing and dread (Ex 1:12). She can see through the fear and the affront to dignity and human rights. She sees souls in need of conversion.
Personal Reflection
May this day I too take up Kateri’s vision. One of love for those who know only fear and dread and act out these things in awful ways.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071425.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry