The real poor are aware of relationship needs

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer advice for enduring tribulation and developing relationships. Paul advises the Corinthians about patient endurance in a world which is passing away. Marcia Shadle-Cusic probes our sense of relatedness to others through our need for the other in our life. The Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke are thought by Friar Jude Winkler to be the more original. The blessings and curses are in the Hebrew format in Deuteronomy. The real poor and real hungry hold unto Jesus for dear life. When we are self satisfied we find in hard sometimes to address the void in our lives that only a relationship with Jesus can fill.

Our mission and our transformation

A mission by imperfect agents

The reflection of Chas Kestermeier, S.J. on the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today starts some serious consideration of the mystery of selection according to the will of God. The Gospel account of Luke emphasizes the time Jesus spends in prayer before the Twelve are chosen. Friar Jude Winkler notes how Jesus knew the character of Judas Iscariot, yet, the will of God would be done through his selection. Saint Peter Claver SJ, commemorated by the Church today, was transformed to serve justice and charity during the slave trade. This period in our history was one when some Church members failed to see slavery as evil opposite to the Love of God. The airing of our laundry in public which frustrates Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, is sometimes a necessary action for the Church as the sex scandals of recent time teach us. We lose sight of mission for which we live. In our ineptness and even sin, we are loved.

Symbols and Genesis

Abstract and real models

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today offers us texts which highlight trust, pondering and hope presented in prophetic and richly symbolic language. The opening prayer at Mass speaks of the birth of Mary's Son as the dawn of our salvation and asks for an increase of peace. Friar Jude Winkler links the dual interpretations of the prophecy of Micah, the plan of God explained by Paul to the Romans and the gematria of the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel to comment that God worked through unusual women in the past. The “yes” of Mary is the capstone of this tradition. The expression of righteousness as compassion and the qualities of trusting and pondering are set as models by the Holy Family for those who seek God.

Fraternal Correction and Witness

Love which transcends tragedy.

The Church is called out of the world to be a community of sons and daughters of God. The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary relate to this mission. The Prophet Ezekiel is instructed by God to be a sentinel for Israel. A paper by SHIMON BAKON, in the Jewish Bible Quarterly, highlights the importance of this mission to the exiles in Babylon. Paul addresses the Romans about a relationship of the Christian Community with God through Jesus through which Divine Love is enfleshed. This state of being allows love to supercede all the directions of the commandments for moral living. Our experience is that we and other members of the Church fall short of the standard of love capable for disciples of Jesus. Friar Jude Winkler speaks of the importance of fraternal correction which is the process whereby Church members are brought to realize the serious situation of living a lie in moral choices we make. The consequence of excommunication is extreme but Rene Girard sees Jesus letting himself be like the Gentile or tax collector as the image to assure His desire for all to be in the Community. Andy Alexander, S.J reflects on the deep divisions and violence everywhere in our world community and advocates the community prayer as the starting point to petition God for the grace that we might be the Love which transcends tragedy.