Category: Justice

Greetings on this the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12a

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Summary

He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who have observed his law; Seek justice, seek humility. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Mt 5:2-3; Zeph 2:3ab; Mt 5:12).

The poor (’anāwîm) – (ah-nah-WEEM) in Hebrew at its root means ‘bow down’, without material wealth, holding a low social stature and/or oppressed and at the same time profoundly and faithfully dependent upon the Lord (the “faithful remnant”).

Reflection

In our sacred readings today, we have Matthew’s Beatitudes as his first teaching of the people. At the head of the Beatitudes is the blessed poor (the ’anāwîm). It is fair to say this first of the nine beatitudes holds a special and superior place. To wit, trusting in God is both because we have to in our material poverty and we must in our spiritual poverty.

Knowing this and accepting/adopting this perspective is the gateway to the remaining beatitudes and the life of fulfillment that comes from a life of right relation. St Paul gives us a deeper view of our poverty.

Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God (1 Cor 1:26-29).

Paul is not slandering us! He is centering us. Even if you have money, even if you were born to nobility, even if you are strong in the world, he says, we are all unable to boast before God.

What DO we have?

We have God our Father who sustains us

The Lord keeps faith forever,
The Lord secures justice for the oppressed,
The Lord gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free.
The Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord raises up those who are bowed down.
The Lord protects strangers.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains.

(PS 146:6-7, 8, 9)

We have our Lord, Jesus Christ, who redeems us

It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor 1:30-31).

God has hidden us, rested us in the Christ, his Son. There is our vault of all good – right relation, being made holy and being redeemed from our mistakes.

If we must boast, then boast your Lord of Salvation!

Personal Reflection

The first beatitude does not ask me to become poor.
It asks me to admit that I already am.

To be poor in spirit is not to despise what I have,
but to stop pretending it is enough.

Blessed are those who no longer rely on themselves to be complete—
for the Kingdom of Heaven is already open to them.

In a few moments we, the ah-nah-WEEM, enter into the Eucharist celebration from our poverty and our confidence in the Lord.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Readings: 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17; Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17; Mark 4:35-41

Summary

The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan said: “Judge this case for me! (2 Sam 12:1A).

Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mk 4:36-38)

Reflection

Today’s sacred readings are so very powerful in contrast and in similarities.

The Similarity

Dealing with the truth.

David and Nathan

David having been caught in a ‘case to be judged’, finds himself judging rightly against the murderous acts he himself ordered. Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan answered David: “For his part, the LORD has removed your sin. You shall not die (2 Sam 12:7, 13).

In modern times people deflect, deny, excuse and self-justify. Not David. He was confronted the truth with truth: I have sinned. The consequences are difficult – they usually are – but the confession is purgation.

The Disciplines and Jesus

They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” (Mk 4:38b-41).

God’s mercy does not deny the storm—but it refuses to abandon those caught within it.

In modern times people double down on the accusations and discount the very things they see with their own eyes – but the confession is growth.

Personal Reflection

Judge this case for me!

Do we wish to sit in denial and accusation? Or is it better for us to seek mercy for the things we do wrong and for a stronger faith?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11; Mark 4:26-34

Summary

When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died. But in the sight of the LORD what David had done was evil. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (2 Sam 11:17, 27; PS 51:3-4)).

Reflection

When we sin, we create victims. In some cases, as in today’s first reading, more than we ever intended. It is a devastating reality of sin. But the nature of the divine love is not abandon us or our victims in the mistake but recreate our lives as branches of the mustard tree.

The Church pairs this disaster of David’s decision with two more powerful, counter-realities:

1. The forgiving nature of the Lord.
2. The logic of the Kingdom.

He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God (Mk 4:26a).

If a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come (Mk 4:26b-29).

1. The kingdom grows even when we make the mistake of working against it! The scattered seed does its work – its destiny – to bring divine peace. Let the seed be planted. within us, our community our country.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade (Mk 4:32).

2. This seed, becomes the safe haven for all who rest under or upon its branches. And its grace, food and shade, extends far and wide as all good things do.

Personal Reflection

We should ever discuss mistakes without discussing forgiveness. Not to treat it as an antacid tablet. But as a reframing of life of mistakes as the lesser alternative to a life of rest. Let the seed of holiness take root within us and we experience forgiveness and become a branch of the tree that brings rest and food.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29; Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14; Mark 4:21-25

Summary

The Parable of the Lamp

“Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. (Mk 4:23-24a).

Reflection

You should hear but take care what you hear.

“Filters” is the word we use today to describe the gap between what is spoken and what is actually received—between meaning and mere sound.

This is the center of the parable (take care).

• A lamp is used to illuminate – so that nothing is hidden.
• But the decision to illuminate – The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you (Mk 4:24b).
• The effects are about what is illuminated – from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away (Mk 4:25).

Personal Reflection

It is so tempting to shed light on another’s mistakes. But Jesus warns that light is intended for the curative and restorative purpose. Take care of what you shine your light on – and for that matter – what you lamp is fueled by. Till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob (PS 132:5) – to dwell within me to fuel my lamp.

Light is meant for healing, not humiliation.
Take care what you shine your light on—and take care what fuels your lamp.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-17; Psalm 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30; Mark 4:1-20

Summary

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” (Mk 4:13, 9).

Reflection

In the Parable of the Sower Jesus uses the then current-day farming method of “broadcasting seed” as a way to describe the difficulty of ministry under the various circumstances of people’s faith condition. The seed which contains its own instructions on germination can only be successful if it is received well by the soil. When not well received by the soil, its end is bleak and dismal.

A great deal is made of the difference in the plain meaning of the parable to the people and the detailed explanation to the Twelve.

To the Twelve

He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’” (Mk 4:11-12, x-ref Isa 6:9-10).

Jesus is basically begging us/them to read Isaiah 6 and enter into the story of the Sending of Isaiah. In that historical encounter we have the answer to both groups.

Jesus does what Isaiah was sent to begin, but now in his own person. The Twelve share his mission. The mission is how to reach those who are unable to accept the word with a fruitful outcome. The mystery is given to them so they can enter the struggle of ministry, not avoid it. How do we break through?

• They hear – but lost instantly.
• They hear – but cannot sustain.
• They hear – but choke on worldly anxiety.

These are the problem points that ministry must address.

To the People

I’m not saying try harder! I’m saying relax deeply in the presence of the Lord.

Forever I will maintain my love for him; my covenant with him stands firm (PS 89:29)

For the people Jesus is begging them: Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear. Do you have ears? He wants them to go deeper. Isaiah describes a period of desolation. The leadership in particular have dull ears and closed eyes. In many ways the people are in the desolation as in the past: empty houses (My House), diaspora and faithless leadership.

Personal Reflection

Whew! That is a lot. The take-away is that Jesus is reaching everyone exactly as to their situation. Ministers without a good problem domain. People without clarity of leadership. Hearts living out a form of desolation without even knowing it.

Life does not have to remain that way.
The soil can change.
Ears can open.
Fruit can grow.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Mark 3:31-35

Summary

Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may enter.
(PS 24:7)

Commentary on this psalm verse from the NABRE: Lift up your heads, O gates … you ancient portals: the literal meaning would involve disassembly of the gates, since the portcullis (a gate that moves up and down) was unknown in the ancient world.

Reflection

Jesus is doing something new. So new that the gates of the heart must be taken apart and rebuilt to be higher and greater to allow the King of Glory to enter!

In our sacred readings today, Jesus proposes the simplest and most profoundly loving answer imaginable.

“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mk 3:32-35)

Personal Reflection

Today, let us all think about redesigning the gates to our hearts. Is it too small, too narrow, too closed?

Jesus offers us a new way. A desire to do a home remodel project!!

Lift higher your hearts and make room for the family God is forming.

Become brother, sister and mother of the Lord Jesus!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-8; Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10; Mark 3:22-30

Summary

Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them (Mk 3:28). But..

Reflection

In our gospel portion today, the scribes came and made a specific, malicious accusation designed to discredit Jesus’s miracles by attributing his power to Satan (Beelzebul) rather than God (Gemini deep dive). It is blasphemy—and dangerously close to the sin against the Holy Spirit—but not yet beyond repentance.” The reason is simple.

Warning the scribes directly of the sin against the Holy Spirit is of no use if the sin is already committed.

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? (Mk 3:23).

Instead Jesus explains to the them the logic and rational of holiness and the nature of resisting holiness. He wants them to be saved too!

Jesus is pointing out their pious platitude – a religious-sounding phrase used to end a conversation or avoid facing an uncomfortable truth. The uncomfortable truth is Jesus is dispensing, in his person, the healing power of God – even if Jesus challenges them in their self-righteousness.

Paul expands Jesus’ explanation

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control (2 Tim 1:6-7).

Personal Reflection

While the stories today of the Blasphemy of the Scribes and Jesus and Beelzebul has a terrifying possibility, Jesus uses the encounter to provide for conversion. He seems to say, you have not yet … but are in danger of … and you need to correct yourself to prevent …

Pious platitudes and habitual rejection of God’s love and actions is a pathway of self-destruction. What is our attitude toward God? On a sliding scale we can evaluate our own misunderstandings and trajectory. Remember, airplane pilots: In aviation, attitude determines everything—whether one soars or descends. So it is with the soul.

Let us always meter our attitude.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 8:23—9:3; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23

Summary

The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen (Mt 4:16).

Reflection

Isaiah promises for everyone:

1. Gloom to Joy
2. Freedom from the yoke (burden), the pole (punishment) and the rod (power).

Galilee of the Gentiles is both a place and a position in life.

A place

Galilee is a cross roads location. Trade and war making routes cross through Galilee. It is a thin connecting part of the Fertile Crescent (geographical region). It is a place where many cultures interact and trade.

A position

Assyrian domination covered many nations, peoples and tribes. Galilee of the Gentiles is also a general reference to the non-jewish nations.

Jesus comes to the place of meeting between nations. The light does not wait for perfect conditions. It begins in Galilee.

He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali … the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4:13, 16-17).

He calls to his side the Apostles, Peter, Andrew, James and John to help him bring the good news.

A People without Fear

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
(PS 27:1)

A People Made One

I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree in what you say,
 and that there be no divisions among you,  
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose (1 Cor  1:10).

Whenever cultures collide, power concentrates, and voices are lost, The Galilee of darkness appears again.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012526.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27; Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7; Mark 3:20-21

Summary

Jesus came with his disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,
for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
(Mk 3:20-21)

Reflection on Saint Francis de Sales

Saint Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20 years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of “Gentleman Saint.” – https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-de-sales/

Reflection

Why did Jesus’ family think him out of his mind?

The danger he was in and the protective hearts of his family.

The throng of people following Jesus and their needing him could have easily overwhelmed him and his disciples. Taking a break to eat is a time honored tradition (even to this day, ‘Closed between 12:00 – 12:30 many shop signs say’). Being unable to even eat is the ‘crazy choice’ and on top of that this sacred portion reveals a particular and deeper unbelief that include accusation of being in league with Beelzebul (this pint is just out of range of the gospel selection today).

Were they right in wanting to seize him?

So here is the word play so beautifully made in today’s gospel portion.

There are two definitions of ‘to seize‘:

1. to take hold of suddenly and by force.
2. to take the opportunity eargerly and decisively.

I propose that the crowds were using the second definition (although a bit unsafely executed) and the family was using the first definition.

Personal Reflection

The take-away for me is simply put: while Jesus is near take the opportunity to be with him not as to seize him but to be in his presence and receive the graces that exude, emit and flow from his very being, joyfully and purposefully, for he loves you.

And, in the first case, stop trying to seize and control Jesus. So many prescribe the perfect liturgy and theology so as to overwhelm the gentle Jesus and his Church. Saint Francis de Sales understood that the Calvinists seize grace —present in every age— over-thinking and owning Jesus. He gently guided them back to grace and ‘taking the opportunity’.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Samuel 24:3-21; Psalm 57:2, 3-4, 6 and 11; Mark 3:13-19

Summary

He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (Mk 3:13, 2 Cor 5:19).

Reflection

He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons (Mk 3:14-15)

In our first reading today, David is given the task (and he did it very well) of constraining his desire for revenge. If we try and place ourselves into his place and the situation he found himself in, I wonder if we would have the same restraint?

[I] did not kill you,
see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion.
I have done you no wrong,
though you are hunting me down to take my life.
The LORD will judge between me and you,
and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case.
I shall not touch you.
(1 Sam 24:12bc-13)

David specifically calls out what he will not be enticed to do: As the old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness.’ Thus I will not lay a hand on you. (1 Sam 24:14).

While David mastered what Cain could not, the greater anointing is to come.

In our gospel portion today, a far greater calling, anointing, a summons – into the salvific plans of the Lord.

That they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons (Mk 3:14-15).

Personal Reflection

Let us be with him, be sent forth by him to reconcile, preach with word and deed and drive out, in our own analogous way, the demons of fear, revenge, and domination that distort human life.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012326.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry