Not really Surprised

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today may initially be a surprise to our understanding of the practice of Christianity.Friar Jude Winkler notes that the text from the book of the Prophet Isaiah reminds us of the exhortations of the Prophet Amos about the lack of social justice in the kingdom of Israel. The tension between liturgy and social action stimulates us to question how, as Friar Jude advises, we do both. The direction of the prophets, who are gifted with the eyes of God when looking at reality, is to seek justice for the widow and orphan. Friar Jude notes that the “widow and orphan” is a Hebrew Testament phrase which is intended to refer to all those who need our love and attention. How do we support people with our time, treasure and talent? The liturgy is essential as the opportunity to express the thanksgiving the psalmist today declares as the sacrifice which honours God. In our communal celebration of thanksgiving, the Celebration of the Eucharist, we are intimately aware of the Presence which invites us to become what we are, the Body of Christ. The Gospel of Matthew illustrates another tension with the enemies of the Body of Christ. Friar Jude puts the sword of this passage in the hands of those enemies. The distance cited between family members over the Way is experienced by most disciples today. The Love lived is for all. Loving enemies is the mission. The ways in which we participate in the mission are many. Matthew tells us that all means of support are part of God’s plan. The gifts and calling revealed in prayer and liturgy are the evangelizing action to which we are invited. The Transcendent power becomes the transformative tool that works on us and our enemies to make right the situations presented by the prophets.