Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20
Every
friendship has a critical moment that defines whether it will fade away or
last. Jesus has his moment this week with the disciples. He places himself in a
vulnerable spot because he wants to know if his disciples are understanding
what he has been showing and telling them. In his recent history with them he
fed the five thousand, healed the sick, walked on water, and fed the four
thousand. His actions have been
declaring who he is. Now he wants to openly talk about that "elephant in
the room." What do his disciples think about his real identity? He wants
to know, "Who do you say that I am?"
Their
answer will define the course of ministry for Jesus. If his closest friends are
not yet comprehending then the larger public is not getting it. Has his
methodology been effective? This is a measuring stick for his program. After skillfully
coaxing his friends along, what more does he need to do? Not only that, Jesus
is coming to realize that he is a special emissary from God. He wants to be
able to share that with his friends so they can talk about what has been
unspoken. He would feel a lot freer to take what is shared in whispers out into
the broad daylight.
Fortunately,
Peter saves the day. After tip-toeing around the question, he nails it, which
brings great delight to Jesus. Peter calls him "the Christ," who is
the Son of the Living God. It is as much a statement about God as it is about
Jesus. Just as Peter has given Jesus a name and title, Jesus does the same for
him. He is renamed Peter from his name Simon (Petrus - the Rock; or more affectionately, "Rocky") and
is given a monumental task: to build his church. He was given a weighty responsibility
because he named Jesus correctly.
Peter
was given the task of forgiving or keeping bound people's actions. This
privilege was only reserved to God in the past, but now it has been passed on
to humans. What we absolve in one another in the name of Christ will be
forgiven by God in heaven. Our cooperation is key. All too often we refuse to forgive
former close friends and especially our family members. They are the ones who
hurt us most. Some of us die before we can achieve needed reconciliation with
meaningful people. Primarily because of deep pain, we keep ourselves and others
bound and closed off from God's redeeming actions. This is no way to live or to
die. We must always work hard, through the grace of God, to become as open as
possible to other aspects of the truth. It is the only way to achieve
happiness.
A distressing
part of life in our church today is that people are closing themselves off to
one another. If one does not hold the same position as another, a person can be
called unorthodox and subsequently shunned and marginalized. This is not the
way to peace. It is not the way to a responsible use of our gift of reconciliation
and mercy. It does not open us up to grace. Let us learn from one another and
hold each other's views with as much respect as we can. Rash, harsh judgments
do not help out anyone - and it makes us unhappy as we close ourselves off to
the possibilities for life. Jesus offers us incredible richness when we
recognize that he (not ourselves) is the Lord. When we establish ourselves in right
relationship with him, he blesses us generously.
Themes for this Week’s Masses
First
Reading: In Thessalonians, Paul gives thanks and praises
the believers who turned to God from idol worship. Paul tells of the hardships
of proclaiming the Gospel to them and the courage they needed to continue with
the struggle. Paul explains his method is to please God and not humans, but
that he wanted to remain among them with gentleness. He tells them how much he
has prayed for them and that he is among them to remedy their deficiencies of
faith and that they may abound in greater love for one another. Paul then gets
to the point: they are to refrain from immorality. They are not to act as
Gentiles do in taking a wife or to exploit a brother or sister. God called the
people to holiness - a people set apart from the behavior of others. Paul then
urges them to love one another more fervently. Their love can grow and they can
aspire to live a more tranquil life and to conduct affairs in according with
the Gospel.
Gospel:
Jesus lashes out at the scribes and Pharisees for their lack of consistency in
their preaching and actions, for perverting the child of God, and choosing to
honor one's oath by gold while neglecting one's temple oath. They also neglect
the more important considerations of judgment, mercy, and fidelity. They
criticize one's outward appearance while their inner lives are filled with
self-indulgence. Jesus turns to the crowds and appeals to them to stay awake
for one does not know the hour of his or her judgment. His parable honors the
faithful and prudent servant who waits for his master's return. He further
illustrates it with the parable of the ten virgins who go out to meet the
bridegroom. Five were foolish; five wise. Jesus tells the foolish ones, "I
do not know you." In another parable, a man heading out on a journey
entrusts talents to his servants. Those who invested well in their talents were
greatly rewarded while those who hoarded and saved for themselves were cut off
from the community.
Saints of the Week
Monday: The Queenship
of Mary concludes the octave of the principal feast of Mary as she
celebrates her installation as queen and mother of all creation. This feast was
placed on our calendar in 1954 following the dogmatic proclamation of the
Assumption.
Tuesday: Rose
of Lima (1586-1617) was the first canonized saint of the New World. She had
Spanish immigrant parents in Lima. Rose joined the Dominicans and lived in her
parents' garden to support them while she took care of the sick and the poor.
As a girl, she had many mystical experiences as she practiced an austere life.
She also had many periods of darkness and desolation.
Wednesday: Bartholomew
(First Century), according to the Acts of the Apostles, is listed as one of
the Twelve Disciples though no one for sure knows who he is. Some associate him
with Philip, though other Gospel accounts contradict this point. John's Gospel
refers to him as Nathaniel - a Israelite without guile.
Thursday: Louis
of France (1214-1270) became king at age 12, but did not take over
leadership until ten years later. He had eleven children with his wife, Marguerite,
and his kingship reigned for 44 years. His rule ushered in a longstanding peace
and prosperity for the nation. He is
held up as a paragon of medieval Christian kings.
Saturday: Monica
(332-387) was born a Christian in North Africa and was married to a
non-Christian, Patricius, with whom she had three children, the most famous
being Augustine. Her husband became a Christian at her urging and she prayed
for Augustine's conversion as well from his newly adopted Manichaeism. Monica
met Augustine in Milan where he was baptized by Bishop Ambrose. She died on the
return trip as her work was complete.
This Week in Jesuit History
·
Aug. 21, 1616: At Pont a Mousson in
Lorraine died Fr. William Murdoch, a Scotchman, who when only 10 years of age
was imprisoned seven months for the faith and cruelly beaten by the order of a
Protestant bishop. St. Ignatius is said to have appeared to him and encouraged
him to bear the cross bravely.
·
Aug. 22, 1872: Jesuits were expelled
from Germany during the Bismarckian
Kulturkampf. · Aug. 23, 1558: In the First General Congregation, the question was discussed about the General's office being triennial, and the introduction of Choir, as proposed by Pope Paul IV, and it was decreed that the Constitutions ought to remain unaltered.
· Aug. 24, 1544: Peter Faber arrived in Lisbon.
· Aug. 25, 1666: At Beijing, the death of Fr. John Adam Schall. By his profound knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, he attained such fame that the Emperor entrusted to him the reform of the Chinese calendar.
· Aug. 26, 1562: The return of Fr. Diego Laynez from France to Trent, the Fathers of the Council desiring to hear him speak on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
· Aug. 27, 1679: The martyrdom at Usk, England, of St. David Lewis, apostle to the poor in his native Wales for three decades before he was caught and hanged.
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