The development of a relationship

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today have the theme of the means by which people develop their relationship with the Divine. Paul ponders the mystery of how people come to confess with their lips the communion they have encountered with God through Jesus. The exhortation to tell the world of the good news is echoed by the psalmist who hints that using words may not be as important as action by the faithful. The calling of the first disciples is recounted in Matthew’s Gospel. It was the personal attractiveness of Jesus invitation which had Peter, Andrew, James and John leave their work to join His Company. The indwelling Spirit informs the life of the faithful and the fruit of this Life in the Spirit is attractive and draws the Spirit in others to develop increased intimacy with God.

The past is history the future is mystery

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today begin the season of Advent. The new liturgical year begins for the Church. The Book of Isaiah creates the picture of that time when the tribes of the Earth will come together drawn to the mountain of the Lord where they will learn to beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Today this time appears distant and the yearning of the faithful for the time envisioned by Isaiah is strong. Matthew relates the episode where Jesus is instructing the disciples about the certain coming of the “end times”. Fr Larry Gillick, SJ, compares the instruction of Jesus to the announcement to a class in school or college that the test will be coming. (Gillick SJ, 2010) This always seems to generate questions about the timing and nature of the examination. The ability to live in expectation of the second coming prepared to trust in the faith which has grown through the living of the intimate relationship with the Divine is the gift of Jesus to us at Christmas. The gift may be received at any time. It is never refused or revoked. The teacher suggests that anxiety about the test or confusion about the test contents are not required for those who have kept up with the daily work of the course. The daily life in the Way of intimate relationship with the Divine is the reassurance that the time seen by Isaiah is in the future for humanity.

Gillick SJ, L. (2010, November 28). Daily Reflections. Retrieved November 2010, 2010, from Creighton University Online Ministries : http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112810.html

The Coming of the Son of Man

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are appropriate for the ending of the liturgical year this week. The end times are presented as being preceded by a time in which the evil and the injustice which has dwelled in human society will meet the judgement of God. That judgement is described as being evidenced by the destruction of cities. The remaining faithful who endure the trial will witness the restoration of intimacy of humanity and Divinity. The destruction of evil and the triumph of good is necessary. The final outcome is the “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19: 9) will live in that blessing. The important thing is that all are invited to the intimacy which is described as the marriage supper. No one need miss the “the Son of Man coming in a cloud”.

Plagues Praise and Persecution

The texts from the Roman Catholic lectionary today pose questions about discipleship. The imagery of the Book of Revelation takes the reader from visions of great struggle and today the hint of the last of many plagues visited upon people. This contrasts with praise to God for glorious action and judgement. The psalmist also praises the victory of God and the faithfulness to Israel which is seen in the judgement of the Divine. The Gospel of Luke gives us Jesus teaching that persecutions will be endured by those following His Way and the indwelling Spirit will provide in communion with the Divine the words to address the persecutors. The battle between good and evil is not mythical. It is raging continuously as a part of our being and the nature of human frailty. We can rejoice in the daily victories over self and in the anticipation of a greater “New Jerusalem” for those who endure and are “washed clean in the blood of the Lamb”.( Revelation 7.14)

Destruction of Our Temple

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are not historical records. The imagery of the Book of Revelation provides mush fuel for the imagination to explore the sense of a Divine harvest of the fruit of the earth. The psalmist imagines the earth responding with great praise to the return of the Lord for judgement. The judgement of God is a characteristic that we expect of the Divine. The “good” will have their day is a sentiment that is perhaps too over desired by the faithful. Our understanding of the judgement of God is dim. The imagery we rely on is open to much interpretation. The “prediction” of the end times including the destruction of the Temple in Luke’s Gospel is confused by the likelihood that the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (70CE) was likely complete when the Gospel was written. The Temple which risks or is destroyed is the Temple we are... of the indwelling Spirit. This destruction of the inner Temple is as frequent as wars, hurricanes, earthquakes and storms... a daily or weekly occurrence. The great change in the faith of the Hebrew people which was precipitated by the actual Temple raising by the Romans is significant. The faith of Christians that the inner Temple, though destroyed is able to be re-built through the abundant and ever available mercy and forgiveness of God.

The Widow Offering All

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today raise the question of Who are the worthy ones? Christians recall that Paul exclaims that “All have sinned... All have fallen short”. From this point of view, we are all unworthy. Our worthiness is not the issue. The intimate relationship with the Divine is offered to all. The worthy and the unworthy together are invited to intimacy. Those who live in the power and influence of the relationship with the Divine show a measure of the actions of the “worthy” to which we aspire. The Book of Revelation today is not a text to be taken literally. Some groups who interpret the text literally have been distressed by the number 144,000. The understanding of the worthy virgins also may be a difficult qualification for some. The sense behind the imagery is that there are qualities of righteous people. The psalmist continues to describe some of these virtues. These are targets for the faithful to struggle towards. The impact of our growth is not accounted in human measures. Luke points to Jesus presentation of the widow as the example of the faithful follower who has given (and received) much.

an experience for others to witness

The last Sunday before Advent is the time for the Christian Church to celebrate Christ as King. The Lectionary of the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian Lectionaries select the description of Luke of Jesus dying on the cross and the dialogue which passes between the “King” and those who are attending to these final moments of human life for Christ. This scene is in sharp contrast to the understanding we have of king even today, when monarchy appears in the press when there is a wedding or scandal to observe. Fr Larry Gillick, SJ discusses the meaning of the “King on a cross” and explains that Jesus is now and then “an experience for others to witness”. (Gillick SJ, 2010) What do Christians display when they live the exhortation of Jesus to be ‘salt of the earth’. Paul proclaims Jesus kingship to the Colossians and we hear that the Will of God which Jesus lives is to reconcile to God all things and bring peace through the blood of the cross. Today, Christians who have accepted the invitation to intimacy with the Divine through the indwelling Spirit are called to bring that reconciliation and peace wherever we are called to live. Martin Warner, writing in the Anglican journal, the Church Times, describes how the familiar strangers in society, postal workers and garbage collectors, bring a regular point of contact to people in a disconnected society. (Warner, 2010) The mission of the King and for the King is to be the human Body of Christ in the world and to reconcile, bring peace and witness as salt in world seeking a flavour of love, hope and faith. Nicky Gumbel, presenter of the Alpha Course series of videos in understanding Christ and Christianity, emphasizes the mission of Christians to be salt and light and allow others to see Jesus, the King, in the everyday acts of people attempting to live the will of God.

Gillick SJ, L. (2010, November 20). Daily Reflection. Retrieved November 21, 2010, from Creighton University's On Line Ministries: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112110.html

Warner, M. (2010, November 19). This Sunday's Readings Christ the King. Retrieved November 21, 2010, from Church Times: http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=104062

The Question about the Resurrection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today bring reflection on a few aspects of the journey to live our full potential in communion with the Divine. The imagery of the Book of Revelation describes the struggle between good and evil and even though the struggle is intense and the end looks like defeat for good, the resurrection of good in the company of the Presence restores the rule of the Divine. The psalmist appeals to God to prepare the people for the time of struggle which is called war. The ongoing wars on the planet seem to indicate that we will always have violent confrontations. The goal of the swords being beaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks, as proclaimed by Isaiah, seems far off. The theme of success after struggle may be more valuable to consider continuing faith in Providence. Luke tells of Jesus discussion with the Sadducees about the ‘rules’ surrounding resurrection. Jesus defeats their argument and exhorts us to maintain the faith which has sustained the relationship since ancient times.

Sweet Jesus Cleanses the Temple

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today might be described as “sweet”. This slang word was popular a few years ago. It is used today to describe the reaction of people to the Word and guidance of the Divine. The experience of the intimacy of Divine reassurance and affirmation is difficult to put in words. Images like those in the Book of Revelation help. The poetry of the psalms gets the sense of “sweet” and the action of Jesus, described by Luke, as He clears the Temple evokes the “sweet” assessment from the faithful.

You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today have an air of disappointment and perhaps despair that the Promise of the Covenant and the Free Gift of intimacy are being ignored or rejected by the people for whom it was attended. John’s vision in the Book of Revelation questions how the gift will be distributed without a worthy entity to be the instrument of God’s gracious providence. The Lamb or Christ is found worthy to be the agent of intimacy with the Divine through complete adherence to the will of the Father that all barriers be destroyed between Creator and creatures. The psalmist is in praise of the joy given to the assembly of the faithful who continue to live in the Promise of the Divine. Luke shares Jesus concern that the destruction of Jerusalem will be the marker of a people who failed to appreciate the invitation to life from God.

Praise for God Surpassing Greatness

The texts in the Roman Catholic lectionary today position the Divine relative to humanity. The response in Revelations and from the psalmist is praise. The refusal of the human to recognize the position of the Divine and to ignore the appropriate response and to move in the awe with praise and thanksgiving to attempt to follow the Divine guidance may lead to disaster. The path of understanding and enlightenment involves action and movement. Christians are aware of the intimate invitation to accept the relationship of ‘God is with us” in the resonance of our Spirit with the Divine Spirit

Listen I am standing at the door

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today speak of the invitation to be in an intimate relationship with the Divine. This will be a life changing experience. The author of Revelations paints the image of Christ standing at the door knocking. The decision is ours. Jesus travels through Jericho in the account from Luke’s Gospel. The chief tax collector, Zacchaeus, and Roman Collaborator desires to see Jesus and because of his short stature climbs a tree along the path Jesus is travelling. Jesus calls him from the tree and invites Himself to dinner with Zacchaeus. The tax collector accepts and vows to change his life and repay his debts. The lukewarm and those who have not been washed in the blood of the lamb are standing back outside the intimacy and outside the grace for life change. The psalmist predicts the life changing consequences of the decision to walk with the Lord. Truth, honesty and generosity are virtues of the committed which are supported by an intimate relationship with the Divine

Try not to bind the power

The main thing emphasized in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary is that we not get distracted from the Way by secondary or tertiary concerns. The mission of John in Revelations is to restore the fundamental practice of Christians to the seven churches. That characteristic is that “they should know us by our love”. The Christian who has replaced love with judgement or rule making is in need of repentance. The psalmist advises that the company we keep impacts the attitude we have to others. The law of love requires that we not be scoffing, cynical and wicked. Our impact on those who live in these states must be to attract them to love by love. Jericho was a place accursed in Hebrew tradition. Healings were prohibited in the vicinity of that town. The love and mercy of the Divine is not bound by place, time or any temporal boundary. Our actions must not try to bind this power.

Aware and on guard

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today advise that we should be aware of the great gift we have in the intimacy with the Divine from which we receive the very strength of God to be lovers of all. The “laws” of God, understood in the broadest sense, are those practices and behaviours which bring and intensify the intimacy we have through our indwelling Spirit with the transcendent being of Divinity. The Gospel of Luke reminds that the “end” can come upon us suddenly. Our decision to flee the disaster is the same decision to flee those occasions in which the relationship we have with Father, Son and Spirit is threatened. The temptation to stay, remain calm and “take a look” may engulf us in the event which stimulates initially but robs us of the gifts of love, patience, humility, peace, righteousness and communion with God .

The LORD sets the prisoners free

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today have freedom as a theme. Paul writes about Onesimus who has been ministering to and with him during his imprisonment for the Gospel. On the return of Onesimus to Philemon, Paul pleads that he may be received as a brother rather than as a slave. The “freedom” is delayed and it comes after faith and hope have been a daily part of the live with Paul. The psalmist proclaims the nature of Divine Providence to set the prisoners free. The Gospel of Luke continues the revelation of the Kingdom of God in the intimate relationship with the Divine which is marked by the complete giving of Jesus to humanity. The wait will include the passion and death of Jesus humanity and the release of humanity to freedom in communion with the Divine.

Life in intimate communion

The impact of life with the intimacy of the indwelling spirit and the Divine is illustrated in the letter in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today from Paul to Titus. The arguments and distain of the former life can be replaced by the understanding of the great mercy experienced in intimate communion with the Divine. The fruit of that relationship is the extension of the grace mercy of God to others. The ways in which we are bound by convention and law are shown in Luke’s Gospel as Jesus raises the question of why only the Samaritan of the ten lepers healed returned with thanksgiving to God for the mercy shown. The ability to live the relationship praised in the 23rd psalm is the place of faith and hope in our lives.

Temples that are temporal and eternal

The liturgy today celebrates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. This building for the gathering of Christians dates back to the 4th century after Emperor Constantine permitted Christians to celebrate their religion in the Empire. The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary highlight the “life giving “ nature of the faithful community when it gathers in the “temples” of stone and wood. The “Living Temples” of the indwelling spirit are celebrated by Paul as the source of our intimacy with the Divine. The “temple” cleansed by Jesus in John’s gospel is prophetic of the power of intimacy with Jesus, through the Spirit, to cleanse our “temples” or earthen vessels.

Guidelines in promoting Good

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today offers texts with advice for practical problems in ministry. Paul writes to Titus to offer some guidelines for the selection of Bishops to lead the faith in communities. The contrast between the portrait of the suitable bishop and the apparent group of misfits that Jesus selected as Apostles is a lesson in selection. The eyes of the Divine see the human state in a different way. “God’s ways are not our ways” is a saying which introduces the selection of “Jesus sayings” from Luke’s Gospel. The gravity of being an obstacle to the development of the intimate relation with the Divine is outlined. Luke is clear to indicate both the responsibility of the disciple to rebuke community members for stumbling and to always be prepared to forgive and receive them back into community. The enterprise of being the servant of the people of God requires faith that trusts that Divine Providence will guide and redeem our motions to be harmonious in the Grand Symphony of the mystery of Life.

Living which is seen as a threat

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary reveal that the faithful have persecutors. The message portrayed by the lives of those who live in relationship with the Divine is apparently threatening to others, who perhaps are taken over by spirits of evil bolstered by false understanding of the nature of our existence and the false need to gratify our lusts and ambitions to satisfy the hunger of ego. The encounter of Jesus with the Sadducees over the person who is married in the eternity is addressed by referring the questioners to the tradition of the relationship between God and the patriarchs. Distraction is also a technique to avoid focus on the main question of living the intimate relationship with the Divine for eternity. Standing firm in the practice of your beliefs requires strength and courage. A play on Tomkinsville which presents the story of Father Jimmy Tomkins of Reserve Mines Cape Breton who worked to close the gap between rich and poor before WW2 through the actions of education and cooperation which became known as the Antigonish Movement. The privileged and the powerful push back when popular movements attempt to establish social justice.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today continue the theme of the relationship of the Disciple to wealth. Paul proclaims that the relationship he has with Christ has strengthened him to live in all circumstances. Paul has professed to the Philippians in earlier parts of this letter that he values all as rubbish in comparison to the relationship he has with the Divine. The psalmist reminds that the life of the righteous person is marked by justice and fair dealing. The Gospel from Luke suggests that there are no circumstances where the investment of disciples in spreading the Good News is unwise. The message is for all and those who are faithful in less significant practices will be faithful to greater movements. The faithfulness to ‘worthy endeavours” may be suspect in those who neglect the “lesser” activities.

Losing the search for the lost

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today have an underlying consideration for value. Paul tells the Philippians of how the value he puts in the things of the world and the flesh have bee reduced to nothing in comparison to the value he puts in his relationship with Christ. We have some human experiences which allow us to get close to understanding Paul’s attachment to Christ. Our experience of loving relationships is the basis to explore the possibility of love greater than our experience to date for which all else counts as nothing. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus raises the value question for the religious authorities. The Laws which prohibit actions to help the misfortunate on the Sabbath are perhaps adjusted to allow action which might impact on personal wealth. The examples of the care to search for the missing coin or the wayward sheep are examples more of the Divine concern for all regardless of their value to the world than actual examples of action of most people, especially today who would “cut their losses” and not spend time and energy to return the low valued goods.

Holding the Ideas in Tension

Harsh comments to show the truth


The words in the Gospel text from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today seem harsh. Luke is presenting Jesus discussion on the cost of Discipleship. On the journey along the spiritual path to intimacy with the Divine, we encounter many contradictions and paradoxes. These are not easy for human understanding. Perhaps our evolution has created a need to resolve cognitive dissonance. We are urged both to plan and to put our faith (as in deep trust) in Divine Providence. Paul has celebrated the unity of the Philippians within the Body of Christ and today urges them to look to the God within for direction as to the Divine will and pleasure. The full immersion in the Life of the Disciple requires the practice of holding in tension apparently contradictory concepts. The rush to dismiss what is difficult closes down the growth being offered. Richard Rohr, Christian theologian and Franciscan philosopher writes in the Naked Now of the need to reject dualism in thinking to embrace the fullness of understanding.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

The liturgy today is for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary reflect the faith based on trust and intimate experience with the Divine that the relationship of Father to children and of Creator to creature is eternal. The delight of the Divine in those created in His image is not temporal. The teaching of Jesus through John’s Gospel is that those who die with Jesus will bring much life through Jesus. The Mystical Body of Christ which includes those living in the present and those “who have gone before” into the eternal is celebrated daily as the primary community to which we belong. Job proclaims “For I know that my Redeemer lives,

and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;

and after my skin has been thus destroyed,

then in my flesh I shall see God,”

Saints Today

The Texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today outline the liturgy for the Solemnity of All Saints. Who are the saints? The Gospel from Matthew is the Beatitudes. The Saints live as Beatitude people. The Saints are also very aware of Divine mercy and forgiveness. It is the experience of the relationship they have with the Divine. The living of the thanksgiving for the delight the Divine expresses in their being, is seen in the images from Revelation. The Saints are those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb