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.