September 20, 2009
Once again, the words of Jesus are hastily glossed over by the Twelve in his second Passion prediction. Instead they argue about who is the greatest among them –presumably wondering who might be a worthy successor to him. Jesus turns their understanding upside-down for he gives them a new style of leadership that is based on giving up one’s ambition, self-interest, and influence so they can serve the most vulnerable in society. Life won’t be easy; they have to do the grunge work in order to receive their reward in eternal life.
The first reading tells us that many actively work for us to fail and they test God to see if God will be faithful to the righteous who try to live in his ways. The second reading reveals the failings of those who do not walk in the path of righteousness but are guided by self-interest and jealousy. In the Gospel, a child – in essence, one who needs the greatest care from others – becomes the pulled from the margins of society into the center. While we uphold these readings are virtuous and noble, we often still seek our own glory and sense of importance. It just seems natural for us to do. We want to achieve meaningful things and do good works and yet for every person we reach, another is excluded by our choices.
How can we free ourselves from our own need for achievement and preservation so we can become more kingdom-centered people? It may mean a life of hardship where we always place our very selves (our egos, desires, and needs) into radical risk and vulnerability. We become like the child who has to depend upon others. I sense that when we free ourselves to love the world in the way that Jesus loves us, we will have a more complete level of intimacy with him that will make sense of everything else and all will be well – not quite what we wanted – but entirely sufficient. We, and those we have helped, will become the blessed ones.
Quote for the Week
When we teach our children to be good, to be gentle, to be forgiving, to be generous, to love others, to regard this present age as nothing, we instill virtue in their souls, and reveal the image of God within them. This, then, is our task: to educate both ourselves and our children in godliness; otherwise what answer will we have before Christ’s judgment seat?
John Chrysostom
Themes for this Week’s Masses
In the first readings we return to the Old Testament to learn of the return of the Jews from exile at a time when they can begin to rebuild the Temple. In dedicating the Temple, they re-establish the cultic role of the priests and Levites in the service of God in Jerusalem. In God’s mercy, new life has been given to restore the house of God. God in the temple will become the glory of the people and the center of their lives.
In Luke, we hear his account of the calling of the Twelve with instructions for mission. Herod becomes perplexed about all that was happening and is intrigued with the person of Jesus. Jesus quickens the curiosity the disciples have of him by asking them personally, “Who do you say I am?” and then he instructs them about his fate for being obedient to God’s mission for him. Suffering is an essential part of his work.
Saints of the Week
Monday is the feast of Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. Noted for his Gospel that appears first in the New Testament canon, Matthew relies heavily upon Mark’s Gospel for details. We know little about the Apostle or the Evangelist, but Matthew appears in his Gospel as a tax collector, while in Mark and Luke, he is called Levi. In imagery, Matthew’s Gospel is represented by a man because of the genealogy that appears at the beginning.
Wednesday is the memorial of Padre Pio, the Capuchin Franciscan Friar from the village of Pietrelcina who is noted for receiving the stigmata while praying before a cross, much in the same way that Francis of Assisi received the wounds. Because of his piety, the prayer groups he founded continued to flourish. He founded a hospital, was a spiritual advisor, confessor and intercessor.
Saturday is the day we honor Cosmas and Damian, twins who were martyred under Diocletius. They were doctors who practiced without charging for services. Many cures are attributed to their intercession, most notably Emperor Justinian.
This Week in Jesuit History
§ Sep 20, 1990. The first-ever Congregation of Provincials met at Loyola, Spain on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the approval of the Society and 500th anniversary of the birth of St Ignatius.
§ Sep 21, 1557. At Salamanca, Melchior Cano wrote to Charles V's confessor accusing the Jesuits of being heretics in disguise.
§ Sep 22, 1774. The death of Pope Clement XIV, worn out with suffering and grief because of the suppression of the Society. False stories circulated that he was poisoned by the Jesuits.
§ Sep 23, 1869. Woodstock College of the Sacred Heart opened. With 17 priests, 44 scholastics, and 16 brothers it was the largest Jesuit community in the United States at the time. § Sep 24, 1566. The first Jesuits entered the continental United States at Florida. Pedro Martinez and others, while attempting to land, were driven back by the natives, and forced to make for the island of Tatacuran. He was killed there three weeks later.
§ Sep 25, 1617. The death of Francisco Suarez. He wrote 24 volumes on philosophy and theology. As a novice he was found to be very dull, but one of his directors suggested that he ask our Lady's help. He subsequently became a person of prodigious talent.
§ Sep 26, 1605. At Rome, Pope Paul V orally declared St Aloysius to be one of the "Blessed."
Prayers
Wish me luck this weekend as I climb Mount Katahdin in northern Maine. Katahdin is a Penobscot Indian word for “the greatest mountain” and is the tallest mountain in Maine at 5268 feet. It is a terminus on the great Appalachian Trail.
No comments:
Post a Comment