Gruesome scenes when charity lacks

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary use graphic images to alert us to the consequences of pursuit of a life which is focused on our own aggrandizement and satisfaction. The Letter of James proclaims the truth that all material substance eventually degrades to rust or garbage. The rich and powerful who have not treated others with care and respect will not find peace in their possessions. The psalmist hints at the misfortunes in life which show no deference for wealth or privilege. In these times we have our relationships with others and God as support. It is very dark for those facing the challenges by themselves. Jeanne Schuler of CreightonUniversity reflects on the widespread association of our goals and activities with goals of the Corporate World. We have lost our awareness of the need to continue to struggle for just wages and working conditions and employment for all immigrants and home born. She is reminded of the call of Pope Francis to get out of our Churches and into the streets with the bruised and hurting.Friar Jude Winkler comments on the series of sayings from the Gospel of Mark which use Jewish exaggeration to make the point that our attention to the sensual distractions which come to our eyes, hands and feet are dulling our saltiness in the effort to be a joyful presence to others. The decision to care solely for ourselves may put us on the path to rejection of God. In that state of isolation we find that our surroundings will be like the garbage dump below the Temple in Jerusalem known as the valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna in Aramaic, where the dump fire and decomposition is continuous. Our choices impact others. We bear ultimate responsibility for these choices. The isolation we choose when we ignore the needs of others will never bring us peace.