Ordinary 22

While St. Paul says since we have the Holy Spirit we are no longer under the law, he does not mean we can disregard it. The Holy Spirit would not lead us into disobedience. The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill the law, not according to the letter as the Pharisees did but according to God's intent.

When we find a law is causing us difficulty, we should stop and look for the "why is this law so hard for me?" Sin is always easy. Virtue takes practice and hard work.

Ordinary 22

In Hebrew the word "Shema" means both "hear and obey". In a discussion with an orthodox rabbi I asked "since we know the importance of cooking pork properly to avoid disease, would it be Ok for a Jew to eat pork. The purpose of the law was to protect them from disease." The rabbi responded "The reason Jews don't eat pork is because God asked us not to. A good Jew is obedient."

This is a healthy attitude that we should reflect upon. God asks many things of us through the Church. Being a good Catholic is about being obedient.

Disobedience stems from prideful thinking that these laws don't apply to me. I may have a Doctorate, but it is pride that says my understanding trumps 2000 years of Holy Spirit inspired wisdom in the teachings of the Church.

Ordinary 22

Obedience is the evidence of a wise and intelligent people according to Moses in Deuteronomy. Just as disobedience was the first sin and led to all of our troubles, obedience is faith lived out and leads to blessing.

James encourages us to be "doers of the Word". His letter is a coornerstone of works and faith together building up the Body of Christ.

Jesus points out that the Pharisees are concerned about external matters rather than what is in the heart. We also tend to judge others by externals. Only God can truly know the heart. A person's actions will reveal some insights into where their heart is.

The question of Tradition and traditions would be appropriate.

Ordinary 21

Look at Paul's letter. It starts "be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ." We should receognize each other as part of the Body of Christ. The reverence we show toward the Eucharist should be applied to the whole Body of Christ. Start with respecting your own body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Recognize Christ in each other. Humbly acknowledge the possibility that God is working through others for our welfare and we should listen to them and discern what they are saying.

Discernment is a key to understanding what Paul is writing. "Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord." That does not mean in all things if a husband is not a godly person. It does mean in all things when the husband is acting and thinking like the Lord. So we must discern the working of the Lord.

All of us, husbands, wives, singles must love one another as Christ loves his Church.

Ordinary 21

Joshua leads a Covenant Renewal. He puts the question directly to the people "Will you serve the Lord?" They respond with a "Yes" on the lips but what is in their hearts? Do we pay "lip service" to the Lord? Covenant means we have a promise to keep.

Paul to the Ephesians speaks of the covenant relationship of marriage as where we learn obedience and love. The language of being subordinate, submissive in older translations, isn't politically correct but then God's plan isn't politically correct either. We must understand the values and virtues underlying his advice. There is some powerful stuff here.

As we reach the conclusion of the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus has presented the people with a choice, like Joshua, to accept or reject what he is offering. Some left him.

Ordinary 20

The Blood was believe to contain the essence of life. When poured out in sacrifice if symbolize not holding anything back. The Law was very clear aabout not drinking the blood of any animal. It was poured out in sacrifice, it was sprinkled on the people, it was smeared on the door post, but was definely not drunk. The words of Jesus would have had a strong impact on his listeners. We might understand their revilement at the thought.

Eating human flesh was also a big NO-NO. They had probably heard preachers use strong images before. As long as it was an image, however distasteful, they might have gotten past it. But they could tell he was not using an image. What does this mean?

When taken out of context it doesn't make sense. When we see the whole picture, we understand what he was talking about and what the gift he was giving truly is.

Ordinary 20

Proverbs speaks of the desire for Wisdom. Wisdom is a personaification of God. Not to be confused with "the divine feminine" that is being promoted. In the Greek "Wisdom" is a feminine noun. In many languages nouns have genders assigned. For example in German, der Mann (the man) is masculine; die Dame (the woman) is feminine; but das machhen (the girl) is neuter. That does not maake her an "It". In the case of Proverbs, in using a feminine noun it follows that you use feminine pronouns in the same context.

It is God who is calling us to "taste and see the goodness of the Lord". What we find in answer to the call is Wisdom, the all knowing God.

Ordinary 20

The Gospel is following John Chapter 6. It is matched with a wonderful selection of Old Testament selections. Paul's letter to the Ephesians is likely to get lost in the wealth of the Bread of Life discussion. Going back to the 17th Sunday he advices us to "live in a manner worthy of the call we have received." He adds to our consideration "humility and gentleness, patience and bearing with one another." On the 19th Sunday He urges us not to grieve the Holy Spirit but rather to empty our hearts of "bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling, and malice." Replace these with compassion and forgiving. This week we continue with "watch carefully how you live. . .try to understand the will of God." To accomplish this he says "be filled with the Holy Spirit."

The connection to the Eucharist is clear. 1. To receive the Lord we must strive to be free from sin, and 2. In the Eucharist we receive the things we need to live the kind of life Paul is writing about.

Ordinary 20

"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" If he were just a man then they would have been correct. Like them, we must see beyond the external apperance and recognize who is present to us. They had not paid attention to the signs he performed. We must help others to see what they have not recognized.

Jesus started with a miracle. Somwetimes I wonder if people believe in miracles anymore. We are so impressed with the illusion TV presents. The devil is the master of illusion. Consider Reality TV.

After his miracle, he reminds them of an older miracle, the Manna from Heaven. Believing God can provide is the starting point. If our beliefs about God are flawed or incomplete, then it follows that our conclusions will be flawed. Affirm the sovernity of God.

Next Jesus makes a promise to give us a new wonderful gift, the Bread of Life - His Body. Our faith affirms he can deliver on his word. This seems to be where Protestants get lost. They don't believe in the Real Presence because it is not rational. What is rational is a symbolic understanding of what Jesus "meant".

Ordinary 19

Getting fed. Is being a "cafeteria Catholic" a good thing or bad thing? The way the term is used, it implies a Catholic who rejects one or more of the teachings of the faith, accepting only what he or she wants to believe. Of course that would be a bad thing. The Church sets a whole buffet before us. Your mother doesn't let you only pick dessert. You have to eat what is healthy.

I don't like the label becuase it would be a judgment of others based upon my perception. When we go to a buffet, we don't eat everything on the buffet. We do pick favorites. Some of my friends dine heavily on the Respect Life dishes. I expect everyone to try them. I have no problem with those who dine mostly on Bible Study dishes or other social justice conerns. It is not that they are rejecting something but that they need to be encouraged to try other dishes on the buffet.

Balanced diet. Our life in enrichened by our experiences. Our mother invites us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. True, some people don't learn to appreciate the lessons of their mother until later in life. We should be encouraging them to eat from a balanced healthy menu.

Ordinary 19

God fed Elijah. God sent His son as Food for us. Recall that when Jesus first appears He is in a manger, a feeding trough. We might reflect upon those who have left the Catholic Church because they weren't being fed. Of course, we might look at it as they did not eat what was put before them.

Ordinary 19

Heart checks before Communion. The fundamental question is "Am I in the state of Grace"? If there is a mortal sin on my soul, I need to get to Confession before Communion. Communion in the state of Mortal Sin is a sacrilage. St. Paul warned the Corinthians that whoever receives the Body and Blood of the Lord unworthily eats and drinks condemnation.

What about Veniel Sins? Of course a good Act of Contrition forgives them. So does a devout reception of Communion. What would make a devout reception of Communion? There is no better preparation than Confession.

Ordinary 19

Paul writes to the Ephesians "Don't grieve the Holy Spirit". It reminds me of Jesus saying the only unforgiveable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It is presumpous to think we could "hurt" God. Our disrespect or negligent attitudes toward God affects us. People in love make signs of love to deepen the love. Consider what happens to a marriage when one of the parties turns hostile toward the other.

The first reading and Gospel point us to the Eucharist. What we might say about St. Paul's advice is "don't sin against the Eucharist by coming with hatred, bitterness, agner or resentment in your heart." Come early and make a good Act of Contrition as preparation for receiving the Eucharist. Confession would be better: Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00 PM and Saturday at 3:30.

Ordinary 19

Elijah is at the point of despair. God provides him with a heath cake and water and command him to eat. It is enough to give him the strength to walk for 40 days and nights to the Mountain of God. What God provides is always more than we need. The psalm invites us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Jesus continues the Bread of Life discourse. He is the bread that came down from Heaven. He is living bread. He gives us His flesh that we might have eternal life.

There are stories of saints who lived only on the Eucharist. Signs that God provides and it will always be enough.

Transfiguration

The mystical experience of the Transfiguration would have been an affirmation for the Apostles. Jesus has been challanged by the religious authorities. What are the Apsotles to do? Do they go angainst their religious training and follow Jesus? Do they remain faithful and follow the Scribes and Pharisees? The appearance with Moses and Elijah would confirm for them that Jesus is the correct way to go to be truly faithful to their religious upbringing.

Transfiguration

Daniel is an example of apocalyptic literature. Its images are highly imaginative. It speaks of a "time to come" when a "messiah" will establish a "new kingdom". Daniel introduces us to the "Son of Man" without much explanation beyond he is a heavenly figure.

In Second Peter, we hear the things we believe are not some "myth". We have witnessed the majesty of God. This is the foundation of our belief. This is what validates the prophetic message.

As the scene is presented in the Gospel, Jesus is validated by his place between Moses and Elijah, between the Law and Prophets.