Author: Gerry Palermo

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 11:4-13; Psalm 106:3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40; Mark 7:24-30

Summary

He said to her, “Let the children be fed first (Mk 7:27).

Reflection

The gospel portion today is generally understood to be the recognition of the prior claim the Jewish people have on the relationship (time, energy, resources) with Jesus and the Gentiles are after and the Greek, a Syrophoenician, request is granted due to her faith. It is an excellent commentary on the progressive elaboration of the mission of Jesus and a recognition of the specific, unique, and long-lived divine-human relationship of the Lord and the people of Israel.

And so it is. Let us go deeper.

Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter (Mk 7:25-26). The woman does not argue for rights; she appeals to mercy.

Personal Reflection

Jesus reveals how the theology unfolds. The first children are not displaced — but the vulnerable are never excluded. In our gospel portion today, Jesus asserts the vulnerable (woman, foreigner, child) as first to receive his blessing that day. It is a great warning to me and to all Christians. Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls (Jam 1:21bc).

It is NOT Christian first. It is first Christ and his mission.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 10:1-10; Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40; Mark 7:14-23

Summary

The queen of Sheba, having heard a report of Solomon’s fame, came to test him with subtle questions. She came to Solomon and spoke to him about everything that she had on her mind. King Solomon explained everything she asked about, and there was nothing so obscure that the king could not explain it to her (1 Kgs 10:1, 2b, 3).

It must have been a wonder to see and hear Queen Sheba and King Solomon discuss things. It is clear the Queen possessed a deep intelligence and inquisitiveness as well as a certain disquiet that demands answers. She brought these subtle questions forward to the King. No doubt they enjoyed word play and mutual discovery of truth (the question is a source of truth as is the answer, in ever deepening cycle of exchange). I would have loved to be in their presence and watch and listen to them talk. Happy are your servants, happy these ministers of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom (1 Kgs 10:8). The Queen is modest too. She was his equal in desire for wisdom.

The Queen came to see if the stories of wisdom are true. And she delighted in the clarity and interior resonance truth brings.

So too, and in a more substantial way, Jesus. It is fair to say many came not to be in wonder but to challenge in disbelief. Fair enough. But it does force a certain crispness and brevity in reply. Truth prefers to be delivered in soft waves but wisdom can hit quite unadorned if needed. Soft waves like Sheba’s exchange; sharp like Jesus’ correction.

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” (Mk 7:14-15).

Jesus makes clear that all these traditions disguise the most important moral understanding. What comes from within matters most.

Reflection

“But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” (Mk 7:20-23).

I don’t know about you but I want to be somewhere in between Queen Sheba and those challenging Jesus. Our psalmist comes to our aid today. If evil comes from within, then so must holiness. The heart is not only the source of corruption — it is the sanctuary God desires. Look carefully at ‘make justice dawn for you’ – from within.

The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom. (PS 37:30a).

Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
(PS 37:5-6)

Personal Reflection

I want to approach Jesus like Queen Sheba, confident, trusting, and inquisitive. I want to come away from Jesus happy to have been in his presence. And like Sheba and Solomon, exchange priceless gifts with Jesus, love for love, honor for honor, and respect for respect. Always in response to these gifts he gives first.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Psalm 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11; Mark 7:1-13

Summary

Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? Regard kindly the prayer and petition of your servant, LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees; and favor me with your law. (1 Kgs 8:27a, 28; PS 119:36, 29b).

The Tradition of the Elders

In our gospel portion today, Jesus is describing two distinct problems we habitually fall into:

1. Traditions becoming more important than relation.
2. Law becoming an unchanging thing, either in its intent or its application.

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on (Mk 7:6-7, 13a).

Reflection

Our theology and practicum are not set in amber – as a fly trapped and frozen in time.

It is living and breathing, faithful to its source, and adjusts to the Sign of the Times.

To honor is both a verb and a noun. What we do and who we are.
We are to honor the Lord and our Mothers & Fathers – i.e., all people.

Personal Reflection

May I not trap myself in the amber of my faith traditions. Rather be open to new ways of expressing the love and honor due the Lord an all persons.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10; Mark 6:53-56

Summary

They came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant from the city of David (which is Zion). The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, the inner sanctuary of the house, the holy of holies, beneath the wings of the cherubim. There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they went forth from the land of Egypt. (1 Kgs 8:1b, 6, 9)

In our first reading today we have the Ascent. King Solomon has brought the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, to the new Temple, to provide a permanent place for the Lord to abide with them. The Ark contained the Two Stone Tablets – the Commandments – within it. The Lord then did reside within the Holy of Holies, in smoke, in presence and in the Law.

Graduale “song of the steps”

The original gradual is from the Jewish liturgical tradition. The 15 steps of the Temple correspond to the Songs of Ascent – Psalms 120-134 – where at each step a psalm was sung. The gradual nature of faith and growth. The Progressive Elaboration of the Divine life and the Human participation in that life. He has come to dwell with us. Wherever they started Judea, Galilee, Egypt or Babylon they all ascend to, arrive at, Jerusalem and the Holy Temple.

Reflection

Advance, O LORD, to your resting place, you and the ark of your majesty (PS 132:8).

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret. People immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. They laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed (Mk 6:53, 54b-55, 56b).

This is our resting place, in the Lord.

Personal Reflection

Our faith journey is a graduale – an ascent. Step by step we move toward the Lord. We enthrone him in our hearts. We place before him our hopes and needs and all we love. And he allows us to touch his tassel and cloak that we may be healed.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Mark 6:30-34

Summary

So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right— I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days. And if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and commandments, as David your father did, I will give you a long life. Solomon awoke; it was a dream! He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings, and gave a feast for all his servants (1 Kgs 3:11-15).

What we ask for is important. It reveals the condition of our heart. It makes clear the response of the Lord. How abundantly he desires to aid us and help us on our pilgrim journey. But our ‘Ask’ must be what our hearts are thinking (for good or ill – the truth as we see it) so that the blessing may flow and corrections (if needed) may be attained.

Reflection

What a marvelous gospel portion today: The Return of the Twelve.

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught (Mk 6:30).

What a wonderful report they gave! Sent by Jesus to change the world and change the world they did!

And, yet, there is more divine-human cooperation ahead – for them and us.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things (Mk 6:34). The Twelve realized they are being given a model to follow. Teach, heal and love.

Personal Reflection

May today we contribute to the Kingdom. Teach, heal and love as you can for all you can.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Readings: Sirach 47:2-11; Psalm 18:31, 47 and 50, 51; Mark 6:14-29

Summary

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance (see Luke 8:15).

In our sacred readings today, we have a variety of ‘heart conditions’. Not the muscle heart, the spiritual heart of the person. It is from the heart we get to the essence of the person.

Reflection

In our first reading from Sirach, we are given an idealized portrait of David. Strong in battle, brave, beloved by all and the Lord. Sirach also notes that David was grateful to the Lord for his successes and was known to love the Lord. Still, David needed heart surgery and he suffered as well as others for his misdeeds. The LORD forgave him his sins (Sir 47:11a).

In our gospel portion, the heart condition is more acute.

The two texts, Herod’s Opinion of Jesus and The Death of John the Baptist, frame the serious spiritual problem of so many.

As the story is told, Herod, Herodias, her daughter, and the courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee, all suffered from the lure of power and the perversion of silencing of truth. For these, there was no repentance and no accepting of forgiveness. Only power. John the Baptist was their victim among so many others.

Personal Reflection

So what separates David from all these others?

• David allows truth to change him
• Herod allows truth to threaten him

It’s a list:

1. Repentance, accepting responsibility and restoration.
2. Faith, seeking forgiveness and having relation with the Lord.

We have only summaries of their lives, all of them, so we must be careful as to our analysis and (the risk of self-justification).

All evil acts are evil.

We must time and again turn back to the Lord. Healing begins the moment truth is allowed to speak.

We have a heart condition that needs healing.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd; Mark 6:7-13

Summary

Be a man! So they went off and preached repentance. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give greatness and strength to all. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them (1 Kgs 2:2b; Mk 6:12; 1 Chr 29:12b; Mk 6:13).

Sometimes we use shorthand to say the most profound things. King David’s final words, instructing Solomon, to be a man! What did he mean to be a man?

Reflection

In our first reading today David describes being a man as one who has the fortitude, purpose and obedient alignment with the Lord God.

The Mission of the Twelve.

If your sons so conduct themselves that they walk before me in faithfulness with their whole heart and soul, there shall never be wanting someone of your line on the throne of Israel (1 Kgs 2:4bc).

In our gospel portion today, in a similar but superior way, Jesus provides the ability to change the world with fortitude and purpose.

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits (Mk 6:7).

Personal Reflection

The Mission. We are invited into he mission of Jesus and his Twelve. not identically but proportionally and with the particular charism we all possess.

I cannot think of a better way to spend the day today.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020526.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mark 6:1-6

Summary

Consequences can be severe. Failing to acknowledge and atone for actions – ever more so!

He was amazed at their lack of faith (Mk 6:6).

When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these sheep, what have they done? Strike me and my father’s family! So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty silver shekels. Then David built an altar to the LORD there, and sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings. The LORD granted relief to the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.(2 Sam 24:17, 24b-25).

Reflection

Thankfully we have the psalmist to reassure us! Turn to the Lord and be saved!

Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.

For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.

You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.

• Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

Personal Reflection

In our first reading David’s sin caused great distress for everyone. In our gospel portion, the same is true only in a more subtle way. So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them (Mk 6:5). Lack of faith drives us to do exaggerated things wrongly or miss on the gentleness of the divine love.

Better I listen to the psalmist. Repent, move on in faith.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry