Twenty-second Sunday - 2022

Commentary on the Sunday Gospel for the Twenty-second Sunday,  Dr. Brant Pitre, a Research Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. View on Catholic Productions - LINK

.

Twenty-first Sunday - 2022

“ This is one boat you do not want to miss” In the gospel readings for this Sundays and last, we hear Jesus making some rather challenging, even shocking statements. “I have come to bring division to the earth” --- “a father divided against his son, and a son against his father …” “I do not know where you are from.” --- “We ate and drank in your company …” “Depart from me …” One can imagine in this exchange that Jesus may very well be addressing his words to many of today's baptized Catholics. These are people who have heard the message of the gospel, its call to conversion, its warning of the day of reckoning that is to come. These are Catholics who have gathered with Jesus at the table of the Eucharist, eating the bread of eternal life, drinking from the cup of salvation but who no longer do so. And there are Catholics who still “practice” their faith as a church goer but who have never grown spiritually, never let Jesus into their hearts, who have no idea what St. Paul means when he says, “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20  “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out.” Luke 13:28 Sadly, the very people for whom these words are spoken are not present to hear them and take them to heart. Not understanding that this world is only a short stopover on our journey home they have chosen to make here their home. Then comes the call from the harbour, the ship is departing, this stopover is coming to an end. Now is the time, today is the day to get ready. Don’t miss the boat!

.

Twentieth Sunday - 2022

Sometimes Jesus says things that leave us quite puzzled, like when he said, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” Lk. 14:26 – or in today’s gospel, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” Lk 12:51. What are we to make of these kinds of pronouncements? Well in this instance in today’s gospel Jesus is actually quoting directly from the prophet Micah and appropriating the prophet’s words to himself. The prophet Micah is giving a scathing rebuke to the leaders of his time, for their failure to lead God’s people properly; for preferring to listen to prophets who spoke falsely, saying what the leaders wanted to hear. The prophet Micah is prophesying that God is going to send a Messiah who will shake things up and bring God’s will to order among the people. And when he does this it will cause divisions right down to individual households. Micah says, “… for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; your enemies are members of your own household.” Micah 7:6 “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2 Jesus is confirming that he is that messiah whom the prophet is foretelling God is sending. And as the prophet warned he is bring a cleaning fire upon the people. When God speaks it is not to say things people would like to hear rather it is to say what people need to hear, whether they like it or not. Because of this God’s word can and does divide between those who are willing to listen and accept God’s word and those who are rebelling. Our generation is no exception, we are witnessing much disorder in our society and rejection of God’s truth as it has been revealed through the gospel – so we are not surprised to see divisions, even in the household of the Church. Hear again these words of Jesus,  "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!” We must not be scandalized by the struggles we are witnessing today, rather we need wise and careful discernment. What is God’s word to us today, who is speaking the truth for us to hear? Let us not forget that the Lord promised ever to remain with his Church, leading, guiding and protecting it. Our confidence comes through this promise.  The Holy Spirit remains in the Church and will guide us through these days of confusion and uncertainty. The worst response one could make would be to leave the Church and the practice of the faith. The Holy Spirit has not abandoned the Church, he is here to guide us to hear and understand Jesus’ living word to the Church today – and by it to guide on lives through uncertain times.

.

Nineteenth Sunday - 2022

It is likely few of us have experienced being a servant – that is in strict sense of word – no rights, no say, no union, no where to go if you try to leave. More likely our experience is more about being served; we are all the masters expecting to be served. This is my life, my stuff, I paid my dues (my condo fees) – I expect to be served and if not just watch me complain. This way of thinking may well colour our view of religion. “I have church membership, I profess my belief, follow the rules, so now God must meet my needs, answer my prayers, serve me when I prayer.” In today’s gospel Jesus talks about this view of servants. “Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told?” Lk. 17 So let us get this straight, we are the servants; God is the master who is to be served. When we were born and let out our first cry it might be translated as, “Where is MY . . . ! ! !” The spiritual life is an ongoing process of becoming a true servant, a schooling in holiness. St. Francis gives us an excellent outline of  the homework we take with us each day. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.   O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

.