God Applauds our Cleverness: The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

God Applauds our Cleverness:

The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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September 22, 2019

Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13

This is a hard parable to figure out because we value trustworthiness, especially today when we find it difficult to trust many institutions and their leaders. This Gospel passage is all the more difficult because the rich owner applauds the clever tactics of the dishonest steward who redeems his actions by settling accounts. This rich owner is, in fact, God, and we have to ask, “If God praises the dishonest steward, is God condoning these dishonest means?” The answer is ‘no.’ The steward blew it, and he does his best to earn the owner’s trust again, which is impressive. I think, if anything, the owner is impressed with his resourcefulness in solving problems, and God wants us to be just as resourceful in working towards our own salvation. We have to be reflective, thoughtful, and inventive as we think and feel with the church, but we have been taught in our history to be passive and deferential to the hierarchy and clerics. Is this an invitation to solve our problems by looking at them through different lenses? I think it is.

I want to focus on where the church is looking at its problems differently than it has in the past, in a way that is both trustworthy and inventive. For three weeks plus in October, bishops and laypeople from nine countries that comprise the Amazon region will confer to address three issues: concern for the marginalized (which includes the indigenous people), evangelization and pastoral care, and protection of the environment.

For centuries, indigenous people have been victims of exploitation and genocide, mostly used as slave labor in its early days of colonization, but they continued to be devalued up until the present day. People were forced from their homes and subject to violence and oppression. Today, the church is examining how Christianity might be adapted to suit the distinct needs of the indigenous cultures, which creates anxiety among those who believe that the European version of Christianity is unchangeable and is the only expression of the faith.

Understandably, many do not want their image of church to be altered as it has slowly evolved for two millennia. Consider that the Apostles of Jesus would not recognize the way we worship when they gathered to celebrate a love-feast. They would not recognize the medieval or modern churches that filled with statues, stained-glass, and painted images. In fact, the Eucharist is celebrated differently as Christianity adapted itself to European culture. It used western structures to root and establish itself in the community. The church is asking, “How can indigenous populations do the same? Why does the European model have to be the only one?” As European Christianity developed a system for orthodoxy, it set rules and standards, which unfortunately did not allow other cultures to adapt Christianity as it did. Instead, when colonial powers settled the land, it brought its European expression of church became the absolute norm for liturgy, songs, the Eucharist, doctrine, and architecture. As we recognize ourselves to be a worldwide church, perhaps the wisdom of other voices can emerge. You can see how some people might become uncomfortable. We don’t like change. Coupled with that, the synod will discuss ways to bring the Eucharist to people who have no access to mass or the sacrament. It means there is a possibility of ordaining married men because there is a shortage of priests to care for the needs of the people.

A major topic will be care for the environment and it will upset the interests of political conservatives and businesses. The Amazon is considered the lungs of the Earth, and by burning the forests, increased carbon dioxide is being added to the atmosphere, which produces a negative effect on a complex ecosystem. Many species of life will be wiped out, and the oxygen that is necessary for life will be diminished.

Are these controversial moves? Some will say “absolutely.” Are these inventive moves designed to solve very real problems that confront the people of God in areas that we do not even notice? You bet. Does the church need to use different resources in order to examine the complex issues of the day? It might be time to dig into our creative energies to deliberate solutions for our current day crises. Let’s watch keenly the events at the Amazon synod. Perhaps, we need to follow their lead as we reimagine how church can be adapted in this current age. It may unsettle us, but it may lead to an expression of church that brings others to the person of Jesus.  

Scripture for Daily Mass

First Reading: 

Monday: (Ezra 1) Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites– everyone, that is, whom God had inspired to do so– prepared to go up to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

Tuesday: (Ezra 6) I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: From the royal revenue, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay.

Wednesday: (Ezra 9) A short time ago, mercy came to us from the Lord, our God, who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place; thus our God has brightened our eyes and given us relief in our servitude. For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us.

Thursday: (Haggai 1) Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord.

Friday (Haggai 2) I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, And I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts.

Saturday (Zecchariah 2) "Run, tell this to that young man: People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country, because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst. But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst."

Gospel: 

Monday: (Luke 8) For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear.

Tuesday: (Luke 8) He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you." He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

Wednesday (Luke 9) He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.

Thursday (Luke 9) But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

Friday (Luke 9) "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God."

Saturday (Luke 9) "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Saints of the Week

September 22: Tomas Sitjar, S.J. and the martyrs of Valencia (1866-1936), were killed in the Spanish Civil War just a week after the war broke out. Sitjar was the Rector of Gandia and was formerly the novice director and metaphysics professor. The Jesuit Order was suppressed at the beginning of the war, which sent the men to disperse into apartments, but since they were known to the community, they were sought out, imprisoned, and later executed because of their belief in God.

September 23: Pio of Pietrelcina, priest (1887-1968) was affectionately named Padre Pio and was a Capuchin priest who received the stigmata (wounds of Christ) just as Francis of Assisi did. He founded a hospital and became the spiritual advisor to many at a monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo.

September 26: Cosmas and Damian, martyrs (d. 287), were twins who became doctors. They were noted because they never charged anyone a medical fee. They died in the Diocletian persecution. Great miracles have been attributed to them and the Emperor Justinian is claimed to be healed through their intercession.

September 27: Vincent de Paul, priest (1581-1660), was a French peasant who selected to be chaplain at the Queen's household after his ordination. He provided food and clothing to the poor, including prostitutes, the sick, disabled, and homeless. He founded the Congregation of Missions (Vincentians) to preach and train clergy and he co-founded the Daughters of Charity with Louise de Marillac.

September 28: Wenceslaus, martyr (907-929), was raised a Christian by his grandmother while his mother and brother were opposed to Christianity. His brother opposed him when he became ruler of Bohemia in 922. He introduced strict reforms that caused great dissatisfaction among nobles and political adversaries. His brother invited him to a religious ceremony where he was killed in a surprise attack.

September 28: Lawrence Ruiz and 15 companion martyrs (seventeenth century), were killed in Nagasaki, Japan during 1633 and 1637. Most of these Christians were friends of the Dominicans. Lawrence, a Filipino, was a husband and father. He and these other missionaries served the Philippines, Formosa, and Japan.

This Week in Jesuit History

·      Sep 22, 1774. The death of Pope Clement XIV, worn out with suffering and grief because of the suppression of the Society. False stories had been 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." The official brief appeared on October 19.

·      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.

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