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Saturday, October 16, 2010

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 17, 2010

The lesson of the parable of the justice-seeking widow who confronts the unjust judge is to encourage us to persevere in prayer. Jesus tells us that if the dishonest judge will provide for this lowly woman's needs, even if done reluctantly, then surely God will listen to our prayers and provide for our rights. God wants to do this for his chosen ones. So we have no fear. We are to bring our most hidden and persistent concerns to the Lord. We will take care of us if we let him.

We have all dealt with people who deal unjustly with authority. We seethe at the dismissive actions of these people and wonder how they could have been placed in a position of responsibility in the first place. We conjecture about why no one removes them from their post. This widow on the fragile fringe of society determines that goodness can come from this man. Somehow we might come around to using his authority well. She has no other choice if she is going to survive. She chooses to persistently petition him. Out of fear for bodily harm, he relents and gives her justice.

The courage of this woman who does not give up is laudable. She discovers her voice and uses it well. She is unafraid of the consequences of her actions because she stands of the side of justice and rightness knowing that the arc of compassion bends towards justice. In the process, she expresses her emotions and speaks about her needs and we know that no one can ever turn a deaf ear to the real, gut-wrenching emotions of another. To do so would be inhuman.

We are to learn from this woman who prays for her own needs. For some reason, we become very rational when we pray. We get into our heads and do not allow our emotions to become fully engaged. It is such a curiosity. We think we know how God wants us to present ourselves rather than just presenting ourselves truly as we are at the very moment of prayer. We hide most of our feelings from God thinking that this is the most prudent approach to prayer. Of course, we don't want to be selfish.

Prayer is simply presenting who we are (mind, memory, will, and emotions) at the present moment to God and letting God respond. Why do we find it so difficult to pray for ourselves when praying for others is much easier? Do we think we ought not pray for ourselves? The boldness of this persistent woman provides a great model for us. She pours out her heart and feelings continuously to a man who dislikes her. She is unafraid of his esteem for her. She could care less. All she wants is deserved justice. Jesus reminds us that God, who both likes and loves us, wants to hear our pleas because God wants to satisfy our most basic desires. Let's be bold this week and really let go in front of this God who is sure to give us so much more compassion and consolation than we ever thought we could expect.

Quote for the Week

Prayer: Victor Hugo

Have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.

Themes for this Week’s Masses

First Reading: In Timothy, Paul gives an account of his colleague's desertions. He stands alone with only the Lord as his support, and his commitment to mission does not waver. Paul tells the Ephesians they are not alone. Christ comes to bring unity and peace through his atoning work. He relates his own story of grace claiming that of all people, he was not an expected choice to be a faithful witness to Christ. Paul prays for the believer's wisdom to know the depth and extent of Christ's love so all may be satisfied with the fullness of God. Christ's disciples are to know they are brothers and sisters with one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Therefore, all are to live with humility, gentleness, patience, loving regard, and each is to seek for unity in Christ. One's growth in grace has a unique aspect and a common one. We help each other grow in Christ.

Gospel: Jesus sends out 72 disciples in pairs with guarded instructions of conduct to prepare the way for his eventual visit. He tells them an aspect of their discipleship is to be ready for his visit. His visit will split families and friends apart because they will be asked to declare their belief or denial of Christ. This is Christ's desire: to know that his love for people is blazing in their hearts. Read the signs of the times and be vigilant. Jesus urges the people to repent and be attentive to the almost-hidden workings of God.

Saints of the Week

Monday: Luke, evangelist, is known to be a physician and a friend of Paul. He was a well-educated Gentile who was familiar with the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament.) He authored a Gospel portrait of Jesus that included the Acts of the Apostles. Luke was able to borrow from Mark, Matthew, and the Q source as he nuanced many details with literary flourish.

Tuesday: The North American Jesuit Martyrs included six Jesuit priests and two laymen, all from France, who were killed in the U.S. and Canada between 1642 and 1649. Their ministry to the warring Huron and Mohawk tribes was dangerous. The Native Americans became suspicious of the religion of the missionaries and brutally killed them. Isaac Jogues, John de le Lande, Jean de Brebeuf, Rene Goupil, Antoine, Daniel, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, and Noel Chabanel are the martyrs.

Wednesday: Paul of the Cross, priest, founded a religious order in 1721 dedicated to the Passion of the Lord. They became known as the Passionists. He had several visions and devoted his life to prayer and austerity.

Saturday: John of Capistrano, priest, had a vision of Francis of Assisi when he was imprisoned during an Italian civil war at which time he was the governor of Perugia. He entered the Franciscan Friars Minor in 1415 after ending his marriage. He preached missions throughout Europe including a mission to Hungary to preach a crusade against the Turks. After the Christian victory at the Battle of Belgrade in 1456, John died.

This Week in Jesuit History

• October 17, 1578: St Robert Bellarmine entered the Jesuit novitiate of San Andrea in Rome at the age of 16.
• October 18, 1553: A theological course was opened in our college in Lisbon; 400 students were at once enrolled.
• October 19, 1588: At Munster, in Westphalia, the Society opens a college, in spite of an outcry raised locally by some of the Protestants.
• October 20, 1763: In a pastoral letter read in all his churches, the Archbishop of Paris expressed his bitter regret at the suppression of the Society in France. He described it as a veritable calamity for his country.
• October 21, 1568: Fr. Robert Parsons was elected Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. He resigned his Fellowship in 1574.
• October 22, 1870: In France, Garibaldi and his men drove the Jesuits from the Colleges of Dole and Mont Roland.
• October 23, 1767: The Jesuits who had been kept prisoners in their college in Santiago, Chile, for almost two months were led forth to exile. In all, 360 Jesuits of the Chile Province were shipped to Europe as exiles.

North American Martyrs

The northeast part of the U.S. has great affinity for the North American Martyrs as these Jesuit priests and lay colleagues were killed in the once-wilderness areas of New York and Canada. Early Jesuit missionaries from France worked in New England and several churches and chapels are named after their heroic exploits. Not only did they bring the Catholic faith to the Native Americans, they were helpful in describing new species of plants, fauna, animals, birds and other wildlife for their European cohorts.

Rescue of the Chilean Miners

Thanks be to God for the safe return of the Chilean miners to their families. The daring rescue was fast and efficiently organized. The miners will be screened for physical and mental health issues before they return home to their families. Chile can be proud of the heroic efforts of those who worked for their escape from earth's captivity.

Canonization of Mary MacKillop, Australia's First Saint

Mary MacKillop, founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites), will be canonized on Sunday, October 17th in Rome. Her memorial in the Roman calendar will be August 8th, the date of her death in 1909. She will be called Mary of the Cross.

Mary was born in Melbourne, Australia and began her work Penola, a neighboring town. She ran schools and provided care for the poor immigrants and citizens of southern Australia. Her brother, a Jesuit, worked in the Adelaide region. Mary's legacy includes a variety of works across Australia and New Zealand. She revealed to many people the hospitable heart of God.

Today, the Sisters of St. Joseph work in Australia, New Zealand, East Timor, Ireland, Peru, and Brazil. They continue Mary's legacy and have great pride in the canonization of their founder.

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