Special are the downtrodden

Appearance hypocrisy and consequences

A table of consequences

The list of the consequence of our evil thoughts in Mark 7:21-23 varies in how it is expressed in different Bible translations. An interesting note is the translators show the most variation around sexual immorality, licentiousness and pride.

NIV	NAB	NRSV
	evil thoughts,
sexual immorality,	unchastity,	fornication,
theft,	theft,	theft,
murder,	murder,	murder,
adultery,	adultery,	adultery,
greed,	greed,	avarice,
malice,	malice,	wickedness,
deceit,	deceit,	deceit,
lewdness,	licentiousness,	licentiousness,
envy,	envy,	envy,
slander,	blasphemy,	slander,
arrogance	arrogance,	pride,
folly	folly.	folly.

Prepare and persevere

Consonance and dissonance guide our journey

The weightier matters need the Poet

Called to know our spiritual name

Chosen to Choose

Titles point to ways of humble service

Love for the migrant is our spiritual heritage

Rash promises and false pretense

The passages in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer a view of how commitment to follow the Way to the Kingdom requires serious action. In the Book of Judges we are given pause by Jephthah’s vow and its consequences. Friar Jude Winkler notes that we will need to decide that God is first in our lives even if that appears to put loved ones at a lower priority. Scripture scholar, Miles Van Pelt presents arguments for an interpretation of this event in Judges which are more in accord with references to the event in the Christian Testament and some rabbinic interpretation cited by the Jewish Encyclopedia. The Gospel from Matthew tells a parable where a wedding feast offered by a king is compared to the Kingdom of God. Our participation in this Kingdom requires a choice, in the words of Friar Jude, for us to dress the part. Laura Kauzlarich-Mizaur reflects on the major roadblocks identified in the Gospel to participating in the joyous celebration of the Kingdom of God. The selfie focus which puts our pride, ego and independence at the centre of our life experiences may lead to rash promises and false pretense as witness we show to others.

Envy and ego block mercy and love

Power and prosperity from a life perspective

Counter Cultural Commitment

Choosing Bread for Life

Not about Mary

Kolbe and Qumran show self sacrifice

Forgive and Live

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today chooses texts which remind us that our relationship with God is for our entire existence. The author of the Book of Joshua presents the entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land as an echo of the Exodus from Egypt. This compilation of the history of the relationship of God and Israel was completed prior to the Babylonian exile. The Gospel relates the need to be forgiving without reserve. Friar Jude Winkler relates our inability to surrender to the call to forgive. Maryanne Rouse reminds mature Christians that we need to incorporate understanding, compassion and forgiveness in all our relationships with others.

The Body Matters

Humility conquers culture

Giving is action to experience Living

Present in relationships of Life

All of intellect, life and possession is mustard seed

Our relationship with God informs our Life

Reflection of glory in our face

Humility and Courage

The Hand Up from death

The Roman Catholic Lectionary presents texts today which highlight special circumstances in which we find opportunities to deepen our relationship with Christ. The passage from Numbers provides some contemplation about the effect of jealousy in our family relationships. In the Gospel from Matthew, the Evangelist tells of one of the special encounters of Jesus with Peter, who reaches for the perfect scenario and is rescued by Jesus when he finds he is only capable of a much more human response. Craig Zimmer believes we will be blessed by being open to daily opportunities for Jesus hand to reach out and pull us out of situations where our pride or jealousy may have brought us closer to spiritual death.

Expectations high and support infinite

Meat and Bread for Life

Reset for Life

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents texts which encourage our reflection on the need to reset some of the habits and directions which we accumulate on our journey. The Book of Leviticus tells of the Jewish Law about the Jubilee year during which slaves were freed and land was returned to the original owners. The observance of this practice and other Laws set the Jewish people aside and become a sign for themselves and others of their place as a Chosen People of God. The execution of John the Baptist by Herod Antipas is related in the Gospel of Matthew as a consequence of saving face in response to a promise. Friar Jude Winkler reminds us of the need for caution in the promises we make as he expands upon the story of the “Herod’s” and their relationship with the Jews. Larry Gillick S.J. calls upon us to reflect on the ‘little kingdoms” in our lives which we are afraid to dislodge as we only hear our voice when we assess our behaviour. St Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, was a tireless source of writing and challenge to reset our spiritual relationship with Jesus in the Church.