The themes
in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are in the area of our
responsibilities to the poor and outsiders as we also consider the laws and
customs of our society. The praise of God in the Psalms as the protector of the
poor and downtrodden is repeated today. Our tradition, the teaching of Jesus
and the writing of Church Fathers like Tertullian, as noted by Friar Jude
Winkler, make it clear that the Body of Christ, in accord with the will of God,
chooses to be preferential to the needs of the poor and outcast. At times, the
Christian may find tension between the patriotic requirements to pray for those
in authority and respect for the laws of the land and the need to live as Jesus
directs. Friar Jude reminds us, by citing examples from Church history, that
fidelity to the Way of Jesus trumps obedience to civil authority. Father LarryGillick SJ comments on the Gospel from Luke that Jesus addressed the parable to the
Pharisees to show them the failure of their concern for the poor and needy. Religious
observance is to open our eyes to see those around us who are among the blessed
of Yahweh and the Beatitudes. The person whom the extremely rich man of the
parable could not see outside his door calls to us to see people with the eyes
of God in which value is not measured in wealth.
Some side trips for today
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