Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13; Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44; Luke 8:19-21
Summary
Regarding the Book of Proverbs: The instructions and the aphorisms of the book can free the mind to see new things. Christians will see in personified Wisdom aspects of Jesus Christ, who they believe is divine wisdom sent to give human beings true and full life. Yet there is a universal dimension to Proverbs, for in its attention to human experience it creates a link to all people of good will (see https://bible.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/0).
Our Proverbs in today’s readings are from the The First Proverbs of Solomon, placed side-by-side with the Jesus encounter
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Pv 21:6; Lk 8:21).
Together they mean:
- Doing right is better than performing ritual sacrifice.
- Doing right is more than being related by family.
Lead me in the path of your commands, for in it I delight (Ps 119:35).
We experience being members of the family of Jesus by our actions. It brings joy to our souls and a sense of belonging that would be missing otherwise.
Reflection
The story of Jesus’ family-in-wait has three different titles in the synoptic gospels.
- Luke: Jesus and His Family
- Matthew: The True Family of Jesus
- Mark: Jesus and His Family
In the gospel of John, the generally accepted correlation is a subsection of the The Vine and the Branches discourse but Jesus uses the title for us as “Friends”, Jn 15:9-17, of which I give you a smaller part.
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you (Jn 15:9-14).
Personal Reflection
The best, the more acceptable, is to be Family and Friend of Jesus.
- Or did you forget when you fell in love? You became friend and family.
- Or did you forget your marriage vows? You maintain friend and family.
My grandmother used to say, “You marry a stranger”, to which I would always add, thank God you first fell in love.
Fall in love with Jesus, and like a marriage, you become family and friend—and discover the deeper joy of belonging.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092226.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
P.S. Surgery Thursday. I will lose the use of my dominate hand for a while, hopefully not too long. So blogging becomes near impossible. Just FYI.
May the Good Lord be with you and your surgical team on Thursday. Giddy up & God Bless!
Just as long as I don’t acquire the nickname Lefty!