Lament and believe

Perhaps the kind of sorrow and lament in the text from the Book of Lamentations, which is from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, challenges our expectations that believers are not,or at least should not, be subject to the grief which is expressed by the author as he is witness to the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian exile. Believers are special and do not need to experience the despair of loss. Friar Jude Winkler suggests that there are times in our life when grief, contrition and sorrow are the appropriate response to the circumstances around us. Death and separation from our dear friends is an example of deep loss in which our emotions are our human response. In this response, we form the prayer, petition or lamaentation which returns us to our relationship with the Divine, the only Source for exploration of the mysteries of our existence. A lament over the reason for our existence may be generated when the plans we have seem to be replaced and our intentions to be are not obviously fruitful in our Life. We grieve perhaps in the destruction of a Temple of our own construction. We forget the need sometimes to rebuild, reconcile and regenerate is essential to our life as a believer in the transformation, through the grace of God of the imperfect and the finite to the person to whom You only say the Word and I shall be healed. The Roman Catholic Communion liturgy uses today's text from the Gospel of Matthew as the prayer for healing prior to receiving Jesus Present in bread and wine. Friar Jude notes that the relationship between faith and healing in Christian Scripture and experience has two aspects. Faith and trust like the Centurian has brings healing. The witness of healing, like that of Peter's mother-in-law, brings faith.

Word will prevail

The Lectionary of the Roman Catholic Church today selects texts to commemorate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. The history of the Church shows that during the ministry and service of these men the Word was spread and the Church emerged as the organization of believers living in relationship with Jesus, Son of the Living God. The passage from Acts tells of the escape of Peter from imprisonment in Jerusalem at the hands of Herod, son of Herod the Great. The destiny of Peter was to lead the Church to Rome, the centre of the empire and to confront the secular power with the Power of the Word. The protection of Peter is not from death. The protection, as Friar Jude Winlkler explains, was to fulfill the will of God that Peter witness to Jesus as a martyr in Rome.
The passage from the Gospel of Matthew ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWf-h2BLzOA) is set near an ancient pagan shine near the source of the Jordan River and Jesus asks the question answered by Peter which reflects the inspiration of Peter by the Father and the choice of those who follow Jesus to be set against the forces of pagan life. The passage which Friar Jude says is important in placing rabbinical authority, the power to indicate what is Christian life, in the position of Peter. The person of Peter has already died at the time this passage was written. The text from the Second Letter to Timothy is part of the pastoral epistles and was written by a disciple of Paul as a kind of last will and testament. The witness of Paul to Life in relationship with the Risen Jesus consumed hiim. It is the fire which Fr Robert Barron describes in Catholicism ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qUW7IxapdU ) that launched the Word to the world. Following the Way completely as modeled by Peter and Paul is Life that produces fruit that lasts.

Going through the motions

The response of the religious people to a miracle is a reflection suggested by the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The passage from Second Kings offers an abbreviated version of the political events beginning around 592 BCE in the relationship between Judah and Babylon. Friar Jude Winkler illuminates the details of the two times when the people of Judah were forced into exile in Babylon. The destruction of the sacred Temple and objects is detailed here. It is the observation of the prophets, at the time, that Judah was mostly "going through the motions" in the relationship they practiced with God. When we fail to address the experience of life around us with the guidance and support of the transformative relationship we are invited to live in the Presence of God we may be half heartedly waiting for miracles and expecting that our will be done in response to our observance of the practices of the Church. The Gospel of Matthew warns that those who keep their relationship with God at the level of just mouthing the words will not come to know the deep intimacy through which we are invited to transformation of our lives to be conformed to Christ. We understand that this conformation will bring us into living all life, the ups and the downs, as Gift. We are invited to strive to be holy and Gift to others in the model of Jesus who is love, mercy, compassion, peace, patience and miracles

Authentic way to produce fruit

The psalmist in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today implores God to give him understanding of the Law and to turn his heart to the decrees of God and not to selfish gain. The text from the Second Book of Kings tells of the reform of religious practice in Judah accomplished by King Josiah. Friar Jude Winkler informs that the reform was based on the Book of Deuteronomy. The changes restored some old ways and instituted some new practices which included centralization of sacrifice worship in the Temple in Jerusalem. Many today who experience liturgical reform find it difficult to change. At the time of Josiah, Jeremiah was a young man and he approved the changes even though his family, who were priests at a sanctuary away from Jerusalem, would loose that role. The Gospel of Matthew stresses our need to be aware of the fruit which true adherence to the Law and will of God brings. The motives of some for religious fervour are not in the direction of self sacrificing action to  include all people in communion with the Spirit of Love. The action of some preachers seems to produce fruits which support their will and motives. The use of religion to incite hatred is to produce the bad fruit referred to by Matthew which causes the tree to be chopped down and thrown in the fire. A life of integrity and authentic loving action is a sign that the prayer of the psalmist is producing good fruit.

Siege the moment

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present some reflection on how to restore and protect the our Gift as people who are temples of the Hoy Spirit. The Second Book of Kings tells of the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. The Prophet Isaiah tells the King of Judah, Hezekiah, that the Lord has heard his prayer that Jerusalem will not be sacked by the Assyrian army. A great plague strikes down the foreign soldiers and Sennacherib retreats to Nineveh. Our interpretation of events often lacks the reflection required to find wisdom. The retreat of the Assyrian was misinterpreted as a sign from God that Jerusalem would always be protected. The defeat of Jerusalem a century later and the exile to Babylon of the leaders destroyed that assumption. The Gospel of Matthew today offers three wisdom instructions. Friar Jude Winkler points out that we need to be aware that the time to present the message we have may not be now. The gift of  faith required to hear what we are saying may not be present in our audience. It is wise to "save our breath" and let the timing of the message be in the hands of the Spirit. Friar Jude points out that Jesus puts the advice of Rabbi Hillel about the content of the Law delivered "on one foot" in a positive expression by telling us the Golden Rule is to do to others as we would have them do to us. The wise are aware that temptation and distraction are the wide path which can take our eyes of the Gift that we are for others. Our selfish addictions encourage us to seek protection against the changes in our lives which will clarify our understanding of how we are to die to self to Live fully.

Losing the Vision

The psalmist from the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today declares that the people are suffering hard things but that he can still see the banner of God and he still can remember when God was more intimate with him and when God was the valiant effort of his people to oppose evil. Friar Jude Winkler uses the passage from the Second Book of Kings to unpack the history of the exile of Jews from the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians and their replacement by pagan people. This political action was the consequence of the Northern Kingdom turning away from their tradition of reliance on Providence to trusting in political schemes of their leaders. The intermarriage of Jew and pagan lead to the Samaritan people who, even to Jesus time, were despised by the Jews of Judah. The warning of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew against judging others is illustrated in other ways in the Gospel by the parable of the Good Samaritan and the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well. Friar Jude instructs that the understanding of individual people about the nature of their Gift to be in relationship with God is different. Our own salvation history and that of many saints is one of discovery of the depth of the Gift we are and the delight in which we are seen by God. As our understanding of Life grows, in contact with the Holy Spirit, our response to the graciousness and mercy of God allows us to see the log in our eye before we react with hypocrisy to instruct our neighbour to remove the spec from his eye. Pointing to God and moving in that direction is our mission. That motion will show our decision concerning actions that are in conflict with the Way. We keep the vision when we refrain from judging how others are responding to their understanding of the call to intimacy with God.

Change is in the air

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist. This figure, the cousin of Jesus, has the role of the Last Prophet of the Hebrew Testament and the First Prophet of the Christian Testament. In Canada, the feast of the birth of Sainte Jean Baptiste, is recored as being celebrated by Jesuits as early as 1636. It is the summer celebration of change in nature as the solstice has passed and the seasons will continue to produce transition from seed to crop to harvest. The adoption of the day as the Fete Nationale du Quebec in the early 19th century represents a response to celebrate and maintain francophone culture in North America. The Prophet Isaiah proclaims the mission of the "Suffering Servant" to bring the light of relationship with God to all people, "to the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6). Jesus will take on the mission of the Suffering Servant in His public ministry. The role of John is to prepare the way for the Light by proclaiming the imminent action of God to forgive and reconcile all people. John attracts attention. John is born in a miraculous manner to aged parents and is named according to Friar Jude Winkler as "Yahweh is merciful". Transition and change brings fear. The Gospel of Luke reports that the events of the birth of John create fear in the neighbours. Luke tells us that John goes to the wilderness from an early age until he appears publicly in Israel to baptize Jesus at the beginning of His public mission. Scholars have associated John with Essenes communities like the one from which the Dead Sea scrolls, featuring the Book of Isaiah, were recovered in the arid land south and east of Jerusalem. Father Larry Gillick SJ also ties John the Baptist to change. The interruption of the pattern by John is invitation. The nature of the renewed relationship with God through Jesus is "gift". We are suspicious sometimes of "gift". Am I worthy?This is not for me? What obligation do I incur by accepting such gift? What is my "gift" in return? We need to heed the advice of the angel to the Zachariah, holy man and faithful servant, to be aware that our prayer is answered and that it does come as gift that changes everything. We need the grace that restores the peace which is disrupted even by the miraculous gift.

Providence and prudence

The episode of the death of Joash from the Second Book of Chronicles in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today is crafted, according to Friar Jude Winkler by Deuteronomical editors, to present more of what should have happened in the record of the relationship between God and the people than what actually happened. The choice of Joash  to put Zechariah to death is an exaggerated evil. The culture of the time held families who had helped your family in high regard. The decision to turn away from the observance of the Law of God by the leaders of Judah is marked by this extremely serious cultural offense. The decision to rule Judah outside the guidance of God brings the consequence of defeat and death at the hands of foreign and unclean warriors. The Gospel of Matthew presents the impossibility of our situation when we try to serve two masters. The Will of God for our lives and our daily decisions to take care of ourselves and indulge our passions and addictions are in constant tension. The intimacy of the relationship to which we are invited by the Divine is all encompassing of our needs. The Collect prayer of the daily liturgy today seeks the gifts of hope, faith and charity from the Holy Spirit. These gifts will open our consciousness to the "lilies of the field" and how Father truly knows and addresses our needs.

What we see and what we do

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer some reflection on the actions of people to do evil which is in great opposition to our moral and spiritual tradition. The passage from 2 Kings describes the slaughter of the royal family of Judah by Athaliah as a strategy to gain the throne. Friar Jude Winkler points out that this overthrow of the King of the southern kingdom of Judah is in opposition to the promise of God that a descendent of David would reign. The path of succession is maintained by the action of Jehosheba who conceals the heir from sight for many years, hidden in the House of the Lord, until the priest, Jehoiada, can arrange for his proclamation as King and the consequent killing of Athaliah as punishment for her crimes. During her time on the throne the observance of the practices of pagan religion had flourished. The return of a Davidic King brought the religious reform which reaffirmed the Covenant with God. The link of this text to the wisdom sayings in the Gospel today from Matthew is the warning to be aware of the link which we establish between what we treasure and the desire of our heart. We see and acquire things and relationships for the excitement or pleasure they bring to us. The slavery to possessions is a state into which God does not desire us to fall. Things are at the service of our mission. People are our mission. Our concern is for their full life. Our eyes as the mirror of the soul offer the great opportunity for communion with the lives of others through the expression of joy, delight, empathy and consolation. They also can lead us on paths focused on the satisfaction of our desire, our coveting and our addiction. The consequence of pursuit of the temptations we see may be disaster. 

What is the message?

The texts from Roman Catholic Lectionary today illustrate that the richness of the revelation includes understanding the authorship and audience for the writing. The psalmist sets the stage for our exploration by establishing the Transcendent as the power over Creation. Friar Jude Winkler shares some of the scholarship surrounding the Book of Sirach which was a presentation of the Jewish philosophy in response to Greek philosophy which was popular at the time. The accomplishments of the heroes of Jewish tradition are presented. The return of Elijah, who apparently did not experience a human death, will bring the faithful of God, the special understanding of the ways of heaven. The text from the Gospel of Matthew is the Lord's Prayer which is an instruction of Jesus about how to pray at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. It is more developed than the version of the Lord's Prayer found in Luke 11: 2-4. Friar Jude offers that Matthew's version was probably used in this form as a prayer in Matthew's community. The version in Luke is probably closer to the words of Jesus. The literal text is not the issue. The instruction on prayer, which is meant to be simple intimate listening as our indwelling Spirit is resonant with the Spirit of God, emphasizes God as Father, to Whose will we surrender and seek the necessities for our existence which always includes forgiveness and the openness to forgive others. In this state of prayer, our lives are enriched and the delight of the Transcendent in Child-Creature is affirmed. This is the message.

Interpretation of Action and Motives

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary show how the action we observe in people, especially people who publicly profess their relationship with God, is interpreted by those around us. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the text from the Second Book of Kings where the mantle of Elijah transfers to his disciple Elisha as the senior prophet is taken to heaven in a what the author describes as a fiery chariot. This observation, according to Winkler, gave Elijah a place in the work of the apocalyptic writers of Jesus time as one who could reveal special characteristics of heaven. The message of Jesus to His disciples about practicing piety from the Gospel of Matthew, written to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem after the destruction of the Temple, is the answer given, at that time, to Jews by the rabbis when they sought advice on practices for the expiation of sin. Jesus however makes it clear that the motive for the practices is crucial. He instructs that prayer, fasting and almsgiving should be done in private. This apparently contradicts Jesus challenge to believers to let our light shine and not hide our light under a bushel basket. The motive of self aggrandizement is of course the issue here. When we act for others and demonstrate the Love of God it is to be as visible and as inspiring as Elijah ascending to heaven. Our actions will be interpreted. We, like Elijah, do not know how our response to the call of the Spirit of God will seen. Winkler comments that Elijah was thought of as more human than the miracle worker Elisha, Francis of Assisi more real than than disciple and miracle worker St Anthony. We can be motivated by serving the Will of God and then let the mantle fall where it may.

Loving enemies shows Love for all

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary encourage us to act in the best interests of the other. The passage from First Kings presents the consequence of the sin of the murder of Naboth to Ahab. Friar Jude Winkler tells us that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was not stable at the time of Ahab. Kings would be disposed if they were seen to have been condemned by prophets like Elijah. The response of God to the injustice done by Ahab and his subsequent repentance was to defer the consequences in the best interests of all the people. The Gospel of Matthew declares as part of the Sermon on the Mount a new law for the people concerning the treatment of enemies. Jesus, Friar Jude points out, is taking Divine prerogative as the Law Maker as He commands that the people love their enemies. He asks us to consider that both good and evil people are sustained with the sun and rain. God shows no preference in love for the "good". Acting in the best interests of all the others, those who love and cherish us and those who offer us rejection and distain, is the perfection in love of God. It is our challenge to be witness to that perfect love so that the truth of the love of God for all my be seen.

Power defeated by Love

The episode related today from the First Book of Kings in the Roman Catholic Lectionary is to remind us that our relationships with our brothers and sisters are proper concerns for the people of God. Friar Jude Winkler points out that in the time of Naboth, King Ahab and Jezebel, the land was not owned by people. The land belonged to God and people were given land to work for their families. Naboth refuses the demand of the King to sell his land and Jezebel, the power behind the throne of Ahab, contrives false charges against Naboth. He is falsely accused, convicted and stoned to death. This conviction meant the King could legally possess his land. The motives of those imprisoned by the exercise of power may not be clear to us. Those trapped in the schemes of others may not be as they are presented in public. Are the officials denounced by government all "traitors" or is a power agenda at play? What is our response? The Gospel from Matthew give us a challenge. Friar Jude comments that the ancient prescription of an "eye for eye" was actually a compassionate recompense which was an improvement over the destruction of your family and village as retribution. In the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus directs us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile. The motive behind both of these actions is Love. It recognizes that love is the response which moves toward healing. It is certainly the best response when there is some doubt, like the case of Naboth, about the veracity of the claims against the one who is persecuted. Today, the exercise of evil power and the even the lack of quality in the social systems which try to deliver justice should make us even more thankful for Jesus direction towards unconditional love. Friar Jude notes that the Roman occupiers could impress people to go with them to do tasks. The usual length over which one was so compelled was a mile. Jesus tells us to go for two miles. We have so many opportunities to live this as we are tasked and impressed in our daily work life. The direction which shows Love is the best choice.

Remnants and small deeds bear fruit

Today people in this community pause to think about fathers. The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary resonate with attitude appropriate for fathers. Friar Jude Winkler tells us the text from Ezekiel uses agricultural imagery. God will plant rulers who maintain their Covenant with God to prosper and lead a community which witnesses to the Will of God as a gathering place for all peoples to come to know the Lord. The maintenance of our relationship with God requires faith. The trust in the mystery that Paul opens to the Corinthians that as we walk confidently in faith in our daily life aiming to please God, we are building up a body of good which will help transform our world. Our human frailty seeks some affirmation that we are making a difference. We may need to step back and review the "coincidences" which occur in our lives and the lives of those we observe around us. My friend is a great husband, father and teacher. He is slowly recovering from a serious medical setback. In his example of living daily, very simply, faithfully in touch with God, He is radiating the theme of the texts today. The lives of those who encounter him are being gradually transformed. The fear and anxiety that Father Larry Gillick SJ tells us is human and accompanies change is truly overcome by trust in Providence. The Will of God is the community where Love is King and all the birds (tribes, cultures, families) are invited to shelter in the large branches built by faith. The smallest seed, planted through love of the other, yields transforming good in ways often unseen by the giver. The Mystery of the how and why lead us to thanksgiving for fathers and Fatherly care.

Magnify the Lord

The texts today in the Roman Catholic Lectionary in Canada are in celebration of the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This celebration follows the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus yesterday. What is clear in the mystery around Mary is that she follows Jesus. The Collect prayer today petitions God that we may become, through the action of the Holy Spirit, as fitting a Temple for Jesus as is Mary. The Canticle which replaces the psalm today is Hannah's prayer which praises the great work of God and which Mary used to formulate her praise prayer, the Magnificat, in Luke's Gospel on becoming the Mother of God. Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the Gospel of Luke which describes the episode where Jesus leaves his parents at the age of twelve to speak with the Scribes and teachers in the Temple. As He is becoming aware of His Divinity, Friar Jude explains, He presents to Mary some additional components of the Mystery of God within us, which the 'heart' of Mary, her whole physical and spiritual person, held "under the veil" in a Holy Temple. Our earthen vessels become Temples of the Presence as we accept the invitation from God to intimate relationship. Mary is our mentor and model for magnification of the Lord.

Deep in Divine Presence

The Church recognizes today the need that we open ourselves to the overflowing of spiritual riches which are described in the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Prophet Hosea writes of the Love of God using  examples from family life. Friar Jude Winkler reminds us that most of the writing of the prophet compares the love of God for Israel to the love of a husband for an unfaithful wife. The text today uses the example of the love of a parent for the ungrateful son. This battle of the parent who continues to support and call back the ingrate is a quality of love which is beyond that expected by society. Isaiah recognizes that the Love which is our strength and the source of the glorious deeds is in our midst, and as the prayer of Paul for the Ephesians proclaims is the mystery hidden for ages in God, becomes strength in our inner being through the Holy Spirit and Christ dwelling in our hearts. The symbol of the heart is not as complete for us, with the modern experience of the understanding of its biological role as a pump, as for the people in Jesus time. The heart centered life of course, but it also was the seat of wisdom and the origin of spiritual and physical life. The Gospel of John brings the Love described by Hosea and Isaiah to Sacrament as water and blood are signs of the Presence and the sacrifice of human life to death in testimony to the boundless desire of the Divine in be in communion with people, as Paul lived in his commission, of the whole world. 

Full fertile life

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionaryy give images of the life which is the desire of God for humans. The action of Elijah to demonstrate the Presence of God with the people by defeating the priests of Baal has redirected the people toward the Lord. The sign of this reconciliation is the return of the rain in generous amount to fertilize the land and end the drought. The psalmist is filled with the praise of God which strikes us as we survey the land at this time of year and see the green and the flowers herald the beginning of another growing season which we hope will mature into the vegetables, grains and fruits we need to grow. The Gospel of Matthew, according to Friar Jude Winkler, continues the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus shows His Divinity by proclaiming the completion of the Law around killing in a rabbinical way. That is Matthew shows Jesus presenting the Complete Law on killing to include anger and gossip about another. The spiritual attitude which is aware of the killing power towards our brothers and sisters of our evil thoughts, anger and slander will certainly be conscious of the gravity of bringing physical harm to people. Our journey to righteousness requires healing of the damage we have done to ourselves through sin. Our attitudes, addictions and habits of self aggrandizement are obstacles which need resolution and removal from our being. This transformation is the role, as Friar Jude points out, of the process of Purgatory. We are convinced that the full life in relationship with God is the destiny planned for us. 

Tension and transition

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary tell of tension in the communities for whom they were written. In Northern Israel at the time of Jezebel and Elijah, about 850 BCE according to Friar Jude Winkler, the population which had been about 50% pagan was being called by Elijah to reject the gods of Baal and accept the Lord as the one God. The calling down of lightning was the test through which Elijah demonstrated the power and presence of the Lord. He calls on the people to choose. History tells us that Israel moved at this time from attending to many gods where the Lord was the most important to the monotheistic belief of Judaism. Change and tension are partners. The Gospel from Matthew addresses the transition of followers of Jesus from being part of synagogue worship to being excluded from the synagogue and persecuted by the religious authorities. Friar Jude points out the tension in the description of the importance of the Law between Matthew, writing to Jewish converts in Jerusalem, and Paul preaching to Gentiles in Asia Minor and Europe. The demographics matter and the message addresses the lives of those to whom it is written. Do we have to choose a true message? The transition of the people of God to live in communities which are witness to the Presence of the Living God continues. Our choices and the gods of Baal in our world are still in tension. We can find inspiration in the Law, Prophets and through the indwelling Spirit which illuminates our efforts to understand with the Love and delight of the Divine living with us. Expect to deal with change. 

Where will our relationship with God be seen?

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary indicate that the opportunity to live in and demonstrate faith is a choice which we may not fully embrace. The passage from the Books of Kings, according to Friar Jude Winkler illustrates a principle in Jewish Law "as the sin so the punishment". The famine, which is the catastrophic event through which the widow of Zarephath is living, was the punishment for turning to the false god of fertility, Baal. Elijah, the Prophet through whom the Word of God had been rejected by the people of Israel, goes to pagan territory and finds faith in the pagan widow to do as the Prophet of God says and trust that she and her son would not suffer for her obedience. The pagan widow was open to Providence, in contrast to Israelites who stubbornly refused to hear the call of God to change. Salt and Light summarize the visibility for followers of Jesus as contained in the wisdom sayings which are a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew. The flavour and attitude which we bring to the events of life is our witness to a faith which, as the psalmist praises, is aware that God is attentive to the needs of people and in addressing those needs. This shows the world the Will which is to bring peace and joy to all. Our motivation is not self praise or attention to our virtue. It is to act as the witness to humble faith and trust in the relationship we are invited to share with the Divine.

Preparation and Disposition

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary tell of the growth of the Church in Antioch which Friar Jude Winkler points out is marked by the action of the Holy Spirit who is invoked to be present in those chosen to lead. Openness to action of the Spirit often requires preparation. This preparation is for the recipient of the Spirit to be disposed to hear the call of God and to surrender to the Will of God. Friar Jude points out that fasting, wherein we purposely attempt to reduce the internal drive to feed ourselves, opens ourselves to trust in the graciousness of God to show the kindness and faithfulness praised by the psalmist. The guidance of the Spirit in Antioch resulted in the disciples becoming known as "Christian" or followers of Christ. The Gospel of Matthew is presented from two passages, the US Catholic Bishops and Friar Jude Winkler have chosen the Beatitudes from this Gospel (Matt 5:1-12). The Canadian Catholic Bishops and Easterbrooks Catholic Calendar Page point to the instructions of Jesus for those who are going out to minister to people in His name. Both passages are preparation for service. The disposition which is most attuned to receiving the blessing of God is humility, compassion, meekness, hunger for right relationship, open mindedness, mercy, peacefulness, patience, and perseverance. These spiritual gifts will equip the follower of Christ to seek the good and peaceful base from which to freely minster to the needs of the people we encounter as we are led by the Spirit into new relationships as witnesses to the Gospel.

Thanksgiving and Hope

The psalmist in the the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary asks "What shall I return to the Lord for all His bounty to me? This is the response we have as we survey our life and the graciousness of God which is evident in our recollection. In the passage from the Book of Exodus, Moses gathers the people to bring them to the realization and celebration that God is leading them to a New Life. The path to the New Life will be the fulfillment of the Promise to "be your God". Moses, in as commented by Friar Jude Winkler, performs a ritual to "cut a Covenant". The blood was understood as the "life force" from God and the uniting of the blood on the alter with the blood sprinkled on the people recognized the blessing of God in their lives and the curse which would fall on them, death, if they chose to reject God. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews speaks of Jesus as the high priest who brings the good of God, which is life force for the people, through the blood of Christ, Who, through the Spirit, offered Himself without blemish to God. Father Larry Gillick SJ reflects on the longing of humanity for the full as well as the good. We hope that our giftedness will continue and our relationship to God will bring even more Life. The Gospel of Mark is the "institution narrative" for the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It is the continuation of the celebration of the Passover of Jesus with his disciples in which He is Present and we become what we are... the Body of Christ. This Covenant is witnessed in the Blood of the Lamb and is thanksgiving to God for the Love and Spirit which is the "Life Force". In the grace of this New Life, we hope to live out the relationship with Jesus that makes all people brothers and sisters who will share in the Cup through our witness as Christians.

Things are different below the surface

A challenge presented by reflection on the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary  is how to see deeply into a situation and act or react according to what is unseen rather that what is obvious to the observer. Friar Jude Winkler notes that the conclusion of the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy is written as a testimony to the end of Paul's life as it is poured out in service of his mission to proclaim the Risen Christ to all. The author warns that there will be persecution and at that time in Church history heresy was beginning to appear. The temptation to be arrogant and forceful in the suppression of heretics is to be avoided in favour of loving patience. This remains a difficulty for ministry to this day. The one with "wrong" ideas and approaches seems to be quickly dismissed. The Gospel of Mark which contrasts the showy arrogant presentation as a believer of the Scribe with the simple sincere and devout expression of love and thanksgiving of the widow who seemingly has so little for which to be thankful offers a challenging reflection. We jump to the conclusion that the widow is so righteous and yet as Friar Jude advises we may be even more informed if we consider the giftedness of different believers. The faith which finds expression in our action is a gift of the Divine. We are not all equally gifted. We are called to respond in the measure to which we understand our giftedness. We need to seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit before we rush to judgement based on what our initial observation with the "carnal" senses tells us. Patience my people!

Clever teaching about the choice

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present two techniques for spreading the Good News. The author of the second letter of Timothy recalls the virtues shown by Paul, intentionality, faith, patience, love and steadfastness and the example of the suffering and persecution experienced by Paul. This life example is to be modeled and expected by the disciples of Jesus. Friar Jude Winkler picks up the theme of the two choices in Scripture, life as the consequence of following the direction of the Divine and death which comes from rejection of the Divine invitation. The use of Scripture, mentioned at the close of this passage, is an inspired way to teach, correct, reproof and train in righteousness. In the episode from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus attracts attention by the clever use of the texts in the Psalms to address the questions of His critics in the Temple. Friar Jude comments that the virtue of cleverness was much more respected in Jesus time and place than now. It gathered people in and presented the life and experience of the one so gifted as worthy of consideration. The example of Life in relationship with God and the Sacred Texts offer paths to deeper intimacy with the Divine. Is talking about the choice as effective as living it?

Words to describe a relationship

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are introduced by a Collect prayer in which the Church petitions God to help us ponder the spiritual things which will help us carry out in word and deed that which is pleasing to God. The 2nd letter to Timothy, described by Friar Jude Winkler, as a pastoral letter written in the name of Paul decades after his death, emphasizes living with Christ, through doubt and hardship, as the work of the disciple. He places this day to day relationship before the wrangling over words which so often confuses and distracts from the humble learning about God praised by the psalmist. The question of the Scribe about the first commandment which, according to Friar Jude, is answered by Jesus using the credo formula of Deuteronomy, is used by Jesus to expound and expand on the love relationship between the Lord and people. The "one" commandment sought by the Scribe is presented as two relationships of love. The whole intellect, life force and visible resources turned to the relationship with the Lord in the Hebrew testament is expanded by the addition of the mind, or conscience. The fruit of the Love relationship with the Lord is the relationship of love that puts the neighbour, or all people, in the same love relationship as we have with self. Ultimately that relationship with the Lord and others is spiritual and beyond description with words.

Looking to God

The image presented by the psalmist in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today captures an attitude to the Divine which is missing in our transaction and rules driven world. Our experience of the servant or the maid waiting for the sign from the master is most likely second hand. Perhaps we come from a family tradition where our willingness to serve father, mother, aunt or uncle was marked by our attention to the detail of their needs and wants. The pastoral letter of Timothy explains the conferring of authority to Timothy as Bishop through, as pointed out by Friar Jude Winkler, by the laying on of hands. This makes Timothy both overseer of the Christian community and the chief witness to the Resurrection which, like Paul, may bring suffering and imprisonment. The leader who is tuned to the mercy and Providence, like the psalmist, is the leader who will, through love, give all to the Will of God. In the passage from the Gospel of Mark,the Sadducees, identified by Friar Jude as the very conservative family of high priests, hold views, including the ownership of wives, which are rejected by Jesus. This repudiation of their tradition and theology by proclaiming the eternally Present relationship between God and people in which we are destined to love all will be the position which will  motivate the Sadducees to seek Jesus death. Standing in love when we see the Master's plan may bring the opportunity to wear the badge of honourable suffering in His name. 

Loyal to God and Country

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary set up our consideration of the boundaries which we observe as citizens of the world. The text from the second letter of Peter was written, according to Friar Jude Winkler, about 120CE. The second coming has nor occurred and there is debate and confusion among the community. The author urges the community to be at peace and to live in witness to people of the grace given to followers of Christ. The text refers to Isaiah and the new heaven and the new earth. The temptation to live without regard to the existing world because we are citizens of the "New Jerusalem" is a serious matter. The welfare of our brothers and sisters in the political environment in which we live today is our proper concern. The motto of the US Marines, and many other groups throughout history, "semper fidelis", always faithful, comes to mind. The state in which we live is the civil organization which we are called to transform so that the "New heaven and the new earth" will also be one where, as Isaiah prays, where we have beaten our swords into ploughshares. In the Gospel of Mark, members of the Herodian party ironically try to present Jesus as traitor who does not reject the oppression of Israel by the Romans. The action of Jesus to hold the loyalty to the state in tension with the loyalty to God is the necessary condition to maintain the contact that will transform the state to the "New Jerusalem" through the witness of the disciples of Christ.

Right to reject

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today tell of rejection. The second letter of Peter, which Friar Jude Winkler dates to 120 CE is an proclamation of the power of God which is given to us to escape the lust for this world. The letter builds a chain of action which starts with faith supported by goodness, assisted by knowledge, boosted by self control, aided by endurance, helped by godliness, moved on with mutual affection and completed with love. This action plan exercises many of the traditional gifts of the Spirit which are engaged as our in dwelling Spirit resonates with the Spirit of the Divine. The psalmist today offers a prayer for protection as we may encounter the type of rejection outlined in the parable of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark about the wicked tenants who reject the Son of the Landlord and kill him. Jesus speaks this parable to the Pharisees, who will organize Jesus crucifixion. Friar Jude notes the "cultural error" in this story which places in the category of a prediction by Jesus of His death rather than a reflection by the evangelist after the event. This use of error and imperfect text and people to spread the Word is the method of God. Our rejection when we attempt to draw fruit from the vineyards to which we are sent puts us in the company of the loving disciples described in the letter of Peter.

Mysterious gifts

The Collect prayer which opens the liturgy for which the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are chosen today speaks of the wondrous mystery of the sending into the world of the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification. This mystery is not solved by any means. Truth is still pursed and our holiness remains a goal. Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the gift of the Presence of the Divine which is recognized by Moses in the passage from Deuteronomy. Paul address the Romans and proclaims the relationship we have with the Father, or "Abba" as that of children. Through the resonance of the indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of God we can participate in understanding that our deepest desires is the delight of God to be in communion with the Divine. Friar Jude compares our relationship with God as the mystery of dance with the Trinity. Many aspects of dance, including the ability of skilled partners to incorporate our mistakes into the dance and transform imperfection to beauty are involved in the experience of the Trinity mystery. Father Larry Gillick SJ relates to the power and authority in the commissioning of the disciples, in the passage from the Gospel of Matthew, to go and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is not a coercive authority. It is not "do it or else". Gillick expresses it as the power and authority which flow from relationship and responsibility. Parenting gives that opportunity to base the power and authority on our responsibility and desire to act so that the best outcomes are our desire for our children. The Mystery of Life is the essence of the Mysterious Trinity.

Clever, merciful and holy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today touch on three attitudes or virtues which are presented as ways to live in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The very short letter of Jude, which Friar Jude Winkler identifies as the last text to be added to the New Testament, advises living in pursuit of holiness a we wait for the return of Christ at our own or the end time of the world. We are to show mercy to those who are not living as Jesus taught and to be aware how we all live in the "holy fear" of broken sinners who also aspire to follow Christ. The episode in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus clever response to the Pharisees is a demonstration of authority from God to the people who, according to Friar Jude, held clever argument as a sign of special status. This cleverness is not for self aggrandizement, but is the consequence of the trust of the speaker in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to "give him words". The Holy Spirit "has our back" as we strive to be holy

Aware of Expectations

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer reflection on the nature of role of expectations in our spiritual journey. The letter of Peter point to the expectation off the end time. Friar Jude Winkler suggests this may refer to the time of the end of the world or to our own end time. In either case, Peter expects that Christians will continue to humbly work at using their gifts or talents to bear fruit in the community. The choice of simple service in the face of completing the "bucket list" is sometimes a great tension which can rob joy from people. The Gospel of Mark uses two episodes, one written within the other, to heighten our awareness of how we are meeting our spiritual expectations. When we are gifted to be aware of the deep delight of God in being intimate with people and bearing the fruit of love in our communities we need to be aware that that fruit for others is available in all seasons unless we decide, like the fig tree, that it is not our time, or someone else can do it today. Our faith experience transcends barriers when we trust in God. The inner episode in Mark is a caution against loosing sight off the relationship with the Divine which can be replaced with our busy actions in commerce and trade. The commercial relationship between people is necessary and important. We do not expect it to come before our communion with God and our neighbours.