Intimacy provokes change

The author of the Book of Wisdom and the psalmist in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary agree on the nature of the Divine as abounding in steadfast love (for all creation). The Prayer of Paul for and to the Thessalonians speaks of being worthy of the call of God. Luke tells the story of jesus encounter with the tax collector Zacchaeus. He was despised by his community for collecting taxes and getting rich working for the Roman occupiers. Jesus calls this apparently unworthy person and invites him to the intimacy of a visit to his house. Fr Larry Gillick SJ reminds us that intimacy with Jesus brings change. The tax collector repents and makes restitution for his sins. The feast of All Saints, the eve of which is observed as Halloween, is the day where we reflect on the lives of the Saints who dropped their masks and disguises as they became intimate with the Divine through Jesus.

Service and Humility

The texts of the Roman Catholic lectionary today share two attitudes that are characteristic of those who are on the journey to greater intimacy with the Divine. The joy of Paul, expressed in his letter to the Philippians, that his life is the life with Christ and as long as he is in service to Christ, that life may be now in the time or it may be after death in the eternity. Death has no power over Paul. Jesus indicates again in Luke’s Gospel that the blessed are humble.

Gratitude generosity and graciousness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are full of praise for the actions which reveal the glory and compassion of God. Paul expresses the “attitude of gratitude” for the relationship he has experienced with the people of Philippi. He expresses thanksgiving and confidence that their love will be evidence of the righteousness of the Way they are following to intimacy with the Divine. The psalmist observes how the glory of the Divine is revealed in the generosity and graciousness to the people. The response is to praise God. Luke continues to present Jesus taking action to be the compassion of God only to have the authorities criticize him for going beyond what is permitted by the Law. Jesus hints that “going beyond the Law” is not so uncommon among his critics. The issue that traps many humans in the relationship with the Divine is control. We have a very strong desire to maintain it. There is an obstacle to our growth.

Special Tasks to Serve the Body

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today illustrate the nature of the human organization of the followers of Christ. Paul has instructed the Ephesians in their role as the living body of Christ. This living structure which is infused with the indwelling sprit of its members rests on the foundation of the prophets and apostles. Luke documents Jesus selection of twelve disciples who would become the Apostles. In prayer ,Jesus comes to the selection as the action of the Trinity, inspiration of the Spirit, will of the Father and action of the Son come together to call the twelve to special roles. The special role is to support and serve the structure which at best works to implement the will of the Father, inspired by the Spirit and reconciled through the Son. The mission and movement of this group is possible at its best without personal agenda, pride and power. The last shall be first operates as a direction and a consequence of this group

The Happiness from Reverence and Respect

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today describe the qualities and evidence of the fruit of life in Christian households. Paul exhorts the Ephesians to “Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ”. The concept of being subject is not easily understood in Western experience. The decision to be a disciple of Christ and a member of the living Body of Christ is a decision to accept the Way of Christ for our lives. The intimacy of the relationship with the Divine, through Christ is the awe and power and the source of our knowledge of our unworthiness. Our position is to be subject to the unbalanced love of this union of creature and Creator. The comprehension that the experience of the Divine by the individual is not only the experience to which all individuals are invited, but the Body formed by those individuals as a sacred community is the Body of Christ. The reverence accorded to Christ is to be extended to all members of the Body. The fruit of living in this understanding is proclaimed by the psalmist as the “Happy Home of the Faithful”. The small seed of being subject to others brings to life the full size plant as servant to others. The small of leaven of respect and reverence for others makes a great deal of difference in a community or family.

Direction of Distraction

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary present messages similar to the psalmist today “do not follow the advice of the wicked”. It is a frequent temptation to listen to and act on the apparently rational and often legal advice of the people who scorn, scoff and dismiss the Life which is led by intimacy of the indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of the Divine. In the conscience informed by the intimacy with God is the spiritual resource to see the Way and to bypass the distractions fuelled by our pride, ego, lust, idolatry and self gratification. Paul reminds the Ephesians about the obvious truth that unity with the Body of Christ is not found in the direction of distraction. Luke’s Gospel reveals how Jesus ignores the advice of the legal authorities concerning healing on the Sabbath to do the will of the Father.

Adult Decisions and Spriitual Growth

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are encouraging believers to move to mature levels in their lives in the Body of Christ. Paul reminds the Ephesians and us that we have been gifted by the Spirit for service to the Body of Christ. The adult exercise of this gift is the path to deeper understanding of the mystery that is our relationship with the Divine. Luke’s Gospel, through Jesus examples and the parable of the barren fig points out to us that we should not delay in our movement toward holiness. We are spared the circumstances of living which may seriously threaten our growth. Jesus, the gardener, will continue to offer us the nourishment we require for growth.