Tag: faith

Understanding Our Divine Right to Judge Wisely

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
You are gods (you have been given the power to judge)

Greetings on this the Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7; John 10:31-42

Introduction

In our sacred readings today we deal with the problem of unbelief. For the Prophet it can be very painful. For the one who rejects, it reveals two important observations:

  1. We reject what challenges our desires.
  2. We are called to account as gods – the authority to judge wisely.

Jeremiah’s Interior Crisis

In our first reading today, Jeremiah is crushed. He has been selected by the Lord to proclaim the good, admonish for the wrong and to bring unity to the people under the circumstance of great distress. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you (Jer 1:5).

It didn’t feel too exclusive and inclusive. “Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail and take our revenge on him (Jer 20:10). [Jeremiah laments] Cursed be the day on which I was born! May the day my mother gave me birth never be blessed! Cursed be the one who brought the news to my father, “A child, a son, has been born to you!” filling him with great joy (Jer 20:14-15).

Jeremiah’s Influence after Death

In actual fact, Jeremiah was more appreciated after his death than while alive. Arrest, imprisonment, and public disgrace were his lot. [Later] the exiled community read and meditated on the lessons of the prophet; his influence is evident in Ezekiel, some of the psalms, Is 40–66, and Daniel (NABRE Commentary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/0).

In a similar way, our gospel account

The [leadership] picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The [leadership] answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God. (Jn 10:31-33)”

The leadership struggled to see Jesus for who he is and what he does as evidence of who he is. Those who did see had a different conclusion.

[Jesus] went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him (Jn 10:40-42).

Reflection

Jeremiah praised the Lord for his love of the people and was at the same time completely aware of the opposition and the lengths people will go to self-justify their actions. Jesus for his part makes similar observations and with a solution.

If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father (Jn 10:37-38).

Personal Reflection

Evidence based reasoning is well established before the modern age. You have the right and the obligation to test all spirits, if you will. But it is certain that the leadership could not even find their way with a series of steps.

  1. We claim God as Father.
  2. We claim Abraham as Father of Nations.
  3. We claim Moses as Father of Socho (“Father of Prophets”) x-ref https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/18

If Father, then Son. They correctly surmised that Jesus is alluding to his divine sonship. But since Jesus is a prophet that follows after Moses, his testimony is true.

Jesus fulfills the Moses authenticity test.

So the objection is not really who and what Jesus is and does. The objections is that Jesus is in contradiction to what we are and what we do. Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? (Jn 10:34). This means we are given the divine right to judge but judge wisely.

Jeremiah had an interior crisis because of the difficulty in dealing with people who judge poorly and attack what they do not like. Jeremiah was right, Jesus was right.

If another moves you to slanderous and murderous thoughts (or milder versions of anger), judge carefully. Do you reject what is holy in them too? If like Jeremiah you are simply overwhelmed by the vindictiveness of people in the face of truth, well, have confidence that even after your death the good you do and say will be remembered somehow.

Suck it Up

As an old priest friend used to say when we have Jeremiah moments: “Suck it up, Buttercup”. Have comfort in knowing the Lord will make his will through you fruitful, even if it is after your death. Same-same, Jesus.

Judge

  • How do you judge those around you?
  • Do you reject the good in them because of their errors?

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

The Hidden Nature of Sin in the Children of Abraham

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
How is murder a feature of being a Child of Abraham?

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; John 8:31-42

Summary

Slavery to sin hides its identity in the cloak of false righteousness. Even historically slavery was a constant problem including the vassal state status of Jerusalem at the time. Before Jesus (ancient Babylon), during the life of Jesus (Romans) and even today, we cloak our evils in the mantel of entitlement.

They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free (Jn 8:33-36).

Reflection

In our first reading today, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are under the brutal power of King Nebuchadnezzar even to the point of being put in a fiery furnace to be burned to death. Yet even in these dire circumstances the Lord rescues them and even brings a momentary enlightenment to the King wherein he is quoted as saying:

Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (Dn 3:91-92, 95)”

Then Nebuchadnezzar came to the opening of the white-hot furnace and called: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out.” Thereupon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire (Dn 3:93).

Personal Reflection

Some know they are enslaved. Some deny they are enslaved. And a few, knowing the Lord is the Master of Salvation, knowing they are safe in the arms of the Divine. How can we know if we are enslaved?

The classic example, by far not the only example, is the words of Jesus spoken twice to those who are challenging him.

But you are trying to kill me (Jn 8:37, 40).

The first sin after the fall from grace was the murder of Abel by Cain – brothers. It seems murder, and variants of that impulse, seem to be a pretty sticky part of the human experience. Claiming rights by way of heredity (descendants of Abraham) and (Our father is Abraham) and dogma is counter to the reality. You are trying to kill me.

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here (Jn 8:42).

As Holy Week approaches we must examine our motives and our entitlements. We are entitled by grace to love not death. We are entitled to free not imprison. We are entitled to seek the Face of God not blur his image with ulterior agendas.

Who are you trying to kill? Whatever religious tradition you are from, if killing is your ‘go-to’ option you are far from being a child of Abraham.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040925.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Lent Reflections: Justice and Light in the Story of Susanna

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
Recommended Reading.

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; John 8:12-20

Summary

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live (Ezekiel 33:11).

It is remarkable and therefore my remarks! Isn’t it impactful and critical to recall that for two days running our sacred readings deal with the maltreatment of women.

  • One the Fifth Sunday of Lent – A Woman Caught in Adultery.
  • One the Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent – The Story of Susanna.

Worthy we are to learn and be corrected by the Lord! Light scatters the darkness of our souls!

In our reading from the Prophet Daniel is the story of Susanna. It ends well but it is a chilling narrative.

The themes are so similar it is amazing the warning we are receiving.

  1. In both stories these are Men of Authority.
  2. In both stories they wished to ‘use’ the woman (singular) for personal benefit (as they see it, not as reality).
  3. In both stories they use the LAW as a way to justify their sin.
  4. In both stories they use sexual ethics as a weapon.

Yesterday’s homily is here: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2025/04/06/law-vs-mercy-lessons-from-the-gospel/

Susanna – picked out some key sentences

That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, of whom the Lord said, “Wickedness has come out of Babylon: from the elders who were to govern the people as judges. (Dn 13:5)”. When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk, they began to lust for her. They suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments (Dn 13:8-9). “Look,” they said, “the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us; give in to our desire, and lie with us. If you refuse, we will testify against you that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you. (Dn 13:20-21)”. [Confrontation and Escape, now a trial] In the midst of the people the two elders rose up and laid their hands on her head. Through tears she looked up to heaven, for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly (Dn 13:34-35). [They lie] “We testify to this.” The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death (Dn 13:41).

It gets better! What a wonderfully written story and how it invokes in me the desire to say – Enough!

(See link below for the readings).

There are differences between the stories of course. Yesterday, they dropped their stones and walked away knowing they are sinners. In today’s reading they doubled-down (in our current idioms). This insistence in being evil brought them a horrible end.

In both stories, the Lord saved the women from the men. Period. End. Too important to miss especially in the season of Lent, a period of self-reflection.

Reflection

For the women reading: Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side (PS 32:4ab).

Pray and Insist – the Lord will come to your aid

Pray and insist with the Lord your safety and dignity given you in your very creation. The Lord knows your worries and will always come to your aid. I cannot speak to every instance and circumstances (we are all under the pain of death), but the divine will is most favorable to you, femininity of God, half of all the human population in the world!

But Susanna cried aloud: “O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me. (Dn 13:42-43)”

Personal Reflection

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12).”

To know Jesus is to know light and truth. Light and truth bring a brilliant awareness of the distance between holiness and the human condition as my own. May we be inspired like Daniel, (God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel), to know and want true justice and restoration. Now and forever! Have the Light of Life!

Affirmation Prayer for Women

See link: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/05/28/thirty-three-days-of-affirmation-for-women-journey-of-spirituality-and-empowerment/

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040725.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Encountering Jesus: The Challenge of Preformed Opinions

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
This guy could help us think better!

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12; John 7:40-53

Summary

Could even Jesus be believed by you in your current state of mind?

Jn 7:53 – Then each went to his own house. Perhaps we can understand this as Then each RETREATED to his own preformed OPINION.

In today’s gospel portion we can see clearly the same problem as of today. Failure to dialog honestly and encounter things as they are and as they might be. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” (Jn 7:45-46).

The leadership was intent on making sure all viewed Jesus as a fake and they sent guards to arrest him.

  1. Have you also been deceived? [logical fallacy: Appeal to Ignorance] How can you even know the truth because you are but a guard.
  2. Have any of the authorities believed in him? [logical fallacy: Appeal to Authority] How can you believe anyone other than the leadership.
  3. This crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed. [logical fallacy: Ad Hominem] People are not accursed.
  4. They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee. [logical fallacy: Strawman Argument] Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Given the current public discourse here in the USA it is hard to imagine Jesus can be viewed as anyone except through a political lens.

Reflection

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance (LK 8:15). Do me justice, O LORD, because I am just, and because of the innocence that is mine. Let the malice of the wicked come to an end, but sustain the just, O searcher of heart and soul, O just God (PS 7: 9-10).

Personal Reflection

Encountering Jesus requires a certain type of innocence (absence of any sly or cunning intelligence) in the encounter itself. A true and real expression of who we are and how we are – warts and all! Only then can we begin to see the magnificence of his dwelling among us and the salvation he brings! Otherwise, Then each will go to his own house.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040525.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Understanding Jesus: Knowable Nature and Meaning

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
In the end, faith.

Greetings on this the Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; Psalm 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23; John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Summary

When the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” (JN 7:27).

So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” (Jn 7:28-29).

The wicked rely upon a very narrow understanding of the Priesthood of Melchizedek whom we know nothing of his ancestry, birth, or death. They assumed that the Messiah would be just as unknown ancestry and birth. Yet, we do know. He is King of Salem (Hebrew word for Peace, also alternate name for Jerusalem). Salem is tent. On Salem is God’s tent, his shelter on Zion (PS 76:3). But the divine logic is to be known. In a very sensate and sensible way to be known.

Jesus’ dialog helps us know his divinity as knowable. As in Psalm 76, Jesus is the Tabernacle of the Father. Rejecting Jesus is a function of the logic of the wicked. Not a judgmental statement. Falling into the logic is a pitiable situation.

Reflection

The logic of the wicked is encapsulated not so much by WHAT they do as WHY they do what they do. The Lament of Evil in the Book of Wisdom sums it perfectly in the first verse.

For, not thinking rightly, they said among themselves: “Brief and troubled is our lifetime; there is no remedy for our dying [the WHY], nor is anyone known to have come back from Hades. Come, therefore, let us … [the WHAT] (Wis 2:1, 6).

For the wicked, death has no remedy. Misery has no remedy except doing all the things we can to please ourselves as the lament continued.

Let Us (in our despair… in our unbelief… in our sense of isolation and insignificance)

  1. Let us have our fill of costly wine and perfumes.
  2. Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds.
  3. Let no meadow be free from our wantonness.
  4. Let us oppress the righteous poor.
  5. Let our strength be our norm of righteousness.
  6. Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, because he is annoying to us.
  7. Let us put him to the test.
  8. Let us condemn him to a shameful death.

These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them (Wis 2:21).

Our psalmist paints a far different picture. The Lord is knowable in the 34th Psalm.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted (PS 34:19a).

Divine Care (from the psalm)

  1. The LORD confronts the evildoer.
  2. When the just cry out, the LORD hears them.
  3. From all their distress he rescues them.
  4. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted.
  5. Those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
  6. Out of [trouble] all the LORD delivers him.
  7. He watches over all his bones.
  8. The LORD redeems the lives of his servants.

Personal Reflection

You know me and also know where I am from (Jn 7:28).

Yes, Lord Jesus, I do know. And I refuse to fall into the trap of the wicked despair, unbelief and feeling of insignificance.

Your very appearance at the Feast of the Tabernacles reminds us you journey with us throughout the course of our life, our personal Exodus to the Promised Land and the Eternal HIlls. The Psalmist reminds us of the loving care you have for us. And that you will rescue us from the grave on our last day. Jesus, the ‘I AM’ of the Father, gives us a portion of his significance to be enjoyed together as family.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040425.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Chatting with Jesus: A Lent Reflection

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent

Greetings on this the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Readings: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7.; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Summary

This man welcomes sinners and eats with them (LK 15:2).

Jesus wants us to talk with him and he with us. A dialog. A conversation. There is no barrier to the dialog only the willingness to accept the generosity to be heard. To be really heard. He loves to hear our opinion:

  1. Tell us, then, what is your opinion? (Matt 22:17).
  2. What is your opinion about the Messiah? (Matt 22:42).
  3. What is written in the law? How do you read it? (LK 10:26).
  4. Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? (LK 12:51).
  5. Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? (LK 12:57).

These are but examples of the questions Jesus asks so we can open up and talk.

Open up and talk to Jesus.

Lost Sheep: And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy (LK 15:5).
Lost Coin: Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost (LK 15:9).
Lost Son: [to the servants] This son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. [to the brother} But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.(LK 15:24, 32).

Reflection

Rejoice!

You are called by the Lord so as to return to him. From the moment of your awakening to your separation from divine love, and While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him (LK 15:20).

Deep Dive on the Prodigal Son: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/03/02/the-return-of-the-prodigal-son-henri-j-m-nouwen/
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033025-YearC.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Embracing Divine Love: The Gift of Rain in Lent

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab; Luke 18:9-14

Summary

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hos 6:6).

There is a tight relationship between the need to say your sorry and the divine love rain.

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” a quote from 1970 film “Love Story”. Tomorrow is the Prodigal Son parable. Note the words are never said: I forgive you. Did he forgive him. Yes! Did the Son say a perfect act of contrition? No, not in words anyway. But as Father Brian said to me yesterday when I made a mistake at Mass, ‘God knows what you meant to do. Don’t give it another thought”.

Love is the most written about topic in all of human writings. I write with care as I do not possess the writing skills of the greats.

He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth. (Hos 6:3).

In our first reading today, the prophet Hosea reminds us of the prayer concept to “rain down‘. This figuratively expresses the nature of the divine love upon us. The rains for agriculture is a necessity (after all, another saying, All Sun makes a Desert) and the gentle rains make for the growth of food. The rains sustain us for drinking water as we need water to survive and thrive. Beyond the obvious physical needs for rain we need the divine love to rain upon us – to sustain our souls when we are good or not so good. Rain is broadcast – everyone benefits even if you get a little more than me, or I a little more than you – this moment in time.

When we seek rain in prayer, especially in the season of Lent, we desire the forgiving love of God to rain down on us, copiously and without reservation or condition.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn (PS 51:19). Our contrition and humility comes from the realization we squandered the love rain from the Lord either by dissipation or by acquisition. We wasted the rain and it soaked into the earth to be given again.

The rain of the love of God greatly surpasses the burning sensation of sin. A cooling balm!

Reflection

Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth (Hos 6:3).

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else (LK 18:9). [contrasting the tax collector and the leadership] But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner’. (LK 18:13).

Personal Reflection

Lord, I know you rain blessings down upon me every day. Many times I just let it flow away. Sometimes I even use an umbrella. Even worse, sometimes I use it against others!
But Lord I desire to be right with you and let the rain have its effects intended. Every single drop.

Put away the umbrella!

Put away the umbrella when it comes to divine love rain!

Rain down your love on me!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032925.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Offering Your Face: Spiritual Insights for Lent

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
Offer your face not your back

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Luke 11:14-23

Summary

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful (JL 2:12-13). Which do we offer Jesus: our back or our face? Whatever we offered in the past, Jesus offers to meet us face-to-face in love not fear.

Reflection

Whoever does not gather with me scatters (LK 11:23).

In our gospel portion today, Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed (LK 11:14).

There were three distinct responses.

  1. Amazement. The crowds were amazed (v14b).
  2. Spiteful Accusation. Accusation is to claim you did something illegal or wrong. By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons (v15).
  3. Testing him. Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven (v16).

Personal Reflection

How do we respond to Jesus?

The prophet Jeremiah gives so hints to the underlying causes.

  1. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me (Jer 7:24).
  2. Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers (Jer 7:26).

The skin of the back is very thick (3 to 4 millimeters thick). It can sustain much pressure to penetrate. The face (1.2 mm) and chest (0.5 to 2 mm), not so much. It is easy to penetrate the face of a person. Of course we are speaking of spiritual things. To turn one’s back to the Lord is to not wanting his word nor his person to penetrate you spirit.

Which do we offer Jesus: the back or the face?

Let’s face him with trust. Let’s face him with love. And let love and trust penetrate us.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032725.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Embracing Gratitude: The Teachings of Moses and Jesus

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19

Summary

However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children. (Duet 4:9).

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Matt 5:17).

Attitude of Gratitude

People in recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or in psychotherapy for depression or anxiety disorders are often of the practice of doing gratitude lists. That is to keep careful record of the good things that are occurring or the good ways people help them. Simple things and universal (rain, sun, night, day) and profoundly personal things (sobriety yesterday, reconciliation with family).

It should not be far from us to then apply the same line of reasoning to the Lord. Moses warned the people, having just received the law, to adapt an attitude of gratitude.

  1. Take Care.
  2. Be earnest.
  3. Be on guard.
  4. Do not forget.
  5. Remember what you saw (Exodus event, freedom from Egypt).
  6. Work at remembering them.
  7. Work at teaching them from generation to generation.

Jesus Remembers at the Core

In the gospel portion today, Jesus reminds the people to remember with gratitude as well. He describes it differently. Jesus says I have not come to abolish but to remember.

What follows in the gospel of Matthew is a series of six extensions of the law. Three are acceptance the Mosaic law but extend or deepen it and three reject it as a standard of conduct for the disciples (NABRE Commentary). It is helpful to remember the structure of the 5th chapter of the gospel of Matthew.

  1. Beatitudes – how you are to be.
  2. The Similes of Salt and Light – who you are.
  3. The Law affirmed – right relation.
  4. Modifiers to the Law (extend, deepen and set aside). Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation and Love Enemies.

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect (MT 5:48).

If the LAW is the fulcrum point then on one side we have the Beatitudes and Similies and on the other deeper expressions of the law and application.

Therefore, law is a central point but not valuable in and of itself (hang in there don’t declare a heresy yet). Law without Beatitudes and Deeper expressions is a point that has no contours. It is but nothing.

  • Perhaps you prefer the analogy of the Vanishing Point. Where two parallel lines going into the distance appear to merge into one point ahead? Both are present but become one.
  • Or perhaps from geometry? In geometry, a point is a fundamental, theoretical concept, an abstraction, rather than a physical reality, as it’s defined as having no dimensions or parts, which doesn’t exist in the real world (AI handy sentence).

The law then points to the Beatitudes and the pastoral refinements in expression of the law.

Personal Reflection

It s well to have an attitude of gratitude. It opens us up to the deeper truth and our reality as beloved of God. I pray for those who were my godparents (long since dead). They stood up for me in love and in the blessed hope of eternal life as I was baptized into the Lord some, ahem, years ago. Thank you, Joseph and Elizabeth (Peggy). May you rest in peace. The baptism was the deeper thing.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032625.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Lessons from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent

AI Generated image. Looks weird to me!

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Luke 16:19-31

Summary

Don’t you just love New Year’s? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance – a quote from the movie Forest Gump.

As we approach Laetare Sunday, Rejoice Sunday, (we wear Rose colored clerical stoles, chasubles and dalmatics) it is to remind us that in the midst of the WORK of renewal there is the HOPE ASSURED of Success. Dives (the Rich Man) did not put his trust in the Lord.

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their trust (Jer 17:7).

The Work

The Lord knows the difficulty of the work. His entire mission on earth both in Galilee and in Jerusalem was the divine work of reconciliation and restoration. He had the desert experience, the temptations, the abuse, the betrayal and the disregard. He knows also the core problem. Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing (MK 10:21).

More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds (Jer 17:9-10).

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Who can understand the heart of the rich man in this parable? How can he live this way and yet we know he isn’t an historical story but rather he is us. Dives is everyone.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side (LK 16:19-23).

Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead (LK 16:31).

Building Trust – a two part program

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance (LK 8:15). Blessed are they who hope in the Lord (PS 40:5a).

The first psalm of all the psalms and the first verse of all the psalm verses stands as the trust builder.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy; and on his law he meditates day and night (PS 1:1-2).

We can choose these things and allow the blessed effects happen! Act, Support, Align.

  1. Do not walk (act) in the counsel of the wicked (wisdom of evil).
  2. Do not stand with (support) the way of sinners (think of evil).
  3. Do not sit with (align) in the company of scoffers (faithless).

Focus instead on the holy things.

  1. Do good.
  2. Plan good.
  3. Align with the good.

Everybody gets a second chance.

Personal Reflection

Remember how the Lord saved his people. Remember the 40 years in the desert. Remember the Gospel (the Good News of Jesus Christ). Remember and live.

I led you for forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes did not fall from you in tatters nor your sandals from your feet; [nor did your feet swell these forty years Duet 8:4b] it was not bread that you ate (Manna), nor wine or beer that you drank (water from a stone) —so that you might know that I, the LORD, am your God (Duet 29:4-5).

Trust.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032025.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry