Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2009

September 27, 2009

September 27th is the date of the first papal confirmation of the Society of Jesus in 1540. Pope Paul III signed the Bull, Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae, which established the new religious institute.

We do get very territorial with our ministries in the Church. Understandably, the church is going to conserve and preserve the message of Jesus’ life and resurrection, but we sometimes take it too far. Yes, it is good to have boundaries that limit and protect the various official functions and roles, but we have to be cognizant that we might unintentionally limit the workings of the Spirit of Christ that blows where it will.

Joshua is distressed that Eldad and Medad receive the Spirit of God and are prophesying alongside those who gathered to receive the Spirit. After all, Moses is feeling the weight of ministry and has asked for reinforcements, but when the Spirit selects the chosen people, two who are not present in the tent receive the same blessing from the Spirit. The same event happens in the Gospel when an unexpected exorcist is ministering in the name of Jesus. Jesus, like Moses, reassures his friends that it is indeed a blessing to have others doing the Lord’s work. In no way does it diminish the authority or pose a threat to the ones who are officially chosen by the community. Jesus and Moses are delighted to have the help and the Spirit is in ultimate control. As James tells us, we are rich when we receive the Lord’s blessings – it matters how judiciously we use these riches.

These readings pose interesting challenges to our assumptions. Yes, we need and demand validly, properly trained ministers, and we also can use all the help we can in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. In fact, as Christians we all are commanded to go to the ends of the earth to preach the Gospel. We want to tell the world about God’s deep love for us; we are all called to be prophets. Let’s not get in the way of the Spirit for Jesus has stern words for those who become obstacles to another’s faith.

Quote for the Week

"See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.”

Exodus 23:20-22 on the Feast of the Guardian Angels

Themes for this Week’s Masses

In the Old Testament readings we continue to see how Israel rebuilds itself and its temple in an effort to become the type of people that God has called them to be. God wants to dwell within Jerusalem surrounded by a faithful, just people. The kind king Artaxerxes grants Ezra’s request to rebuild Judah and helps him achieve safe passage. Ezra, the priest, opens the book of the law of Moses at the Water Gate and reads from daybreak to midday in the presence of all who could understand. It is a day of rejoicing. Baruch reminds people that in their anger, God handed them over to their foes, but this same God wants to bring enduring joy back to the people

Luke continues to reveal to us the instructions of Jesus to his disciples. Hospitality to vulnerable ones is essential; proclaiming God’s kingdom is the task of everyone; leaving behind one’s attachments to follow Jesus is healthy; and proclaiming peace and good news is consistent with bearing his message. Those sent out by Jesus in pairs return with marvelous stories ripe with meaning about the work that Jesus is doing through God’s power. They return rejoicing for their names are written in heaven.

Saints of the Week

Monday is the feast of Wenceslaus, ruler of Bohemia, introduced strict reforms and political actions that became the cause of his martyrdom by the forces of his brother, Boleslaus. The Filipino Lawrence Ruiz and companion martyrs are also celebrated this day for their martyrdom in Nagasaki, Japan as missionaries trained by Dominicans.

Tuesday is the Feast of the Archangels – Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, who usher in a triduum (three days) of celebration for the angels. The archangels have names that represent their function: Michael – “Who is like the Lord?” fights against evil, Gabriel – “God is mighty” announces to Mary the Messiah’s conception, and Raphael – “God heals” guards Tobit on his journey.

On Wednesday, we honor Jerome, priest and Doctor, for his work in scripture scholarship and for translating the Bible into Latin for use by the common people. Ironically, Latin was at one time the vulgate.

Therese of the Child Jesus is honored on Thursday as a Doctor of the Church for her Autobiography of a Soul. At age 15, Therese, called the Little Flower, applied for entrance to the Carmelite monastery

Friday is the Feast of the Guardian Angels that completes the three days of prayer in honor of the angels. Popular piety tells us that each of the faithful ones in Christ has a guardian angel to protect one and to aid that person in the spiritual life while on earth.

Jesuit saint Francis Borgia is celebrated on Saturday for his leadership as the 3rd Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Francis was noble trained, but his passion for Christ led him to the Jesuits after his wife died. As General, he founded the Gregorian University, sent missionaries to the ends of the earth, advised kings and popes, and oversaw the growth of the rapidly expanding order.

This Week in Jesuit History

Sep 27, 1540. Pope Paul III signed the Bull, Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae, which established the Society of Jesus.
Sep 28, 1572. Fifteen Jesuits arrived in Mexico to establish the Mexican Province. They soon opened a college.
Sep 29, 1558. In the Gesu, Rome, and elsewhere, the Jesuits began to keep choir, in obedience to an order from Paul IV. This practice lasted less than a year until the pope's death in August, 1559.
Sep 30, 1911. President William Howard Taft visited Saint Louis University and declared the football season open.
Oct 1, 1546. Isabel Roser was released from her Jesuit vows by St Ignatius after eight months.
Oct 2, 1964. Fr General Janssens suffered a stroke and died three days later. During his generalate, the Society grew from 53 to 85 provinces, and from 28,839 to 35,968 members.
Oct 3, 1901. In France, religious persecution broke out afresh with the passing of Waldeck Rousseau's Loi d'Association.

Prayer

Creator God, may we love you in all things and above all things and reach the joy you have prepared for us beyond all our imagining. May the angels and those who serve you constantly in heaven keep our lives safe from all harm on earth. Guide us as we learn of your will for us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.