Mission, diversity and communion

The themes of mission, diversity and communion are inspirations from the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The passage from Deutero Isaiah tells of the anointing of the Persian Cyrus as an agent of God to defeat the Babylonians who held the Jews in captivity and set the stage for the return of the captives to Jerusalem. Frair Jude Winkler comments on the development of monotheism among the Israelites as they perceive that One God acts and accomplishes the Divine Mission through the actions of many peoples. The letter to the Thessalonians contains an early presentation of the “theological virtues”, faith, love and hope. Friar Jude expands how these graces are developed by work, labour and endurance. The beginning of the letter to the Thessalonians, Friar Jude notes, is marked by the use of the pronoun “we”. The notion of the communal nature of our mission to draw disciples to Christ is the meditation of Suzanne Guthrie as she is struck by the contrast of the sameness of the image on Caesar's coin and the uniqueness and diversity of nature and humanity. Giving God glory and honor is the method whereby Rev. Richard Gabuzda advises us to render unto God as Jesus cleverly turns the tables on those who try to entrap Him in the account from the Gospel of Matthew. Our daily lives bring us into encounters with civil authority and company policy which may be in conflict with labouring in love, working for faith and enduring in hope. In those times our communion with Jesus and His disciples will strengthen our resolve to attend to the Way.

Mercy attracts

Evangelize and live mercy

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary inspire consideration of what aspect of God is most attractive to humanity? Molly Mattingly suggests that the readings today are like a how-to manual for evangelization. She notes that successful evangelization rests on the foundation of the Golden Rule. The humanity of Paul who describes some of his needs and disappointments in the text from the letter to Timothy reminds us that we need to live simply and be open to help from others. Friar Jude Winkler reminds us that we bring the message of the Gospel to everyone but that some will not be ready to hear our message. The timing of personal recognition of the Love of God is not our domain. Our work for the harvest will likely be brought to fruition by someone else.In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus is preparing missionaries for the work of being His witnesses. The Gospel written by Luke is named the Gospel of Mercy.The only account of the deep mercy of Jesus to the thief who is crucified next to Him comes from Luke. It is the quality of the mercy that we show others which presents that most attractive Divine Attribute which bears fruit in the vineyard in which His disciples are giving witness to others.

First Installment in eternal plan

No control over experiencing Grace

Attempt to control knowledge with false icons

The temptation to control the manner in which we join with others in experience  of Divine Presence is not in accord with the themes in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The Letter to the Ephesians is celebrated as the text in which the theology of our Life in Christ is proclaimed, according to Ray Stedman. The author tells us of a plan of God to to bring all creation under the final rule of Christ. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the link which associates Jesus with Lady Wisdom in the Hebrew Testament. He presents how the Pharisees and scribes reduced the knowledge of God to an icon which they defined much as some Christians today fashion Jesus as the prophet of their own worldview. The Gospel from Luke continues the rant of Jesus in the home of the Pharisee against the practices which have burdened those seeking communion with God. Kyle Lierk identifies the actions of people who intentionally attempt to keep others from the grace of God. The attitude of holy woman and Doctor of the Church, St Teresa of Avila, is cited by Don Schwager as the key to experiencing knowledge of the Kingdom of God. In simple surrender and service we experience the Life in Christ intended for us from the beginning of time.

Freedom, slavery, laws and Love