Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Last week we heard about some of the obstacles or difficulties to being a disciple. This week we hear about the instructions given to those who accepted the challenge and were sent out to proclaim the Good News. They are sent in pairs and their job is to prepare for Jesus coming. Everything they are instructed to do speaks of singlemindedness and determination. They are told to: "Go on your way." (Lk 10: 3) There are going to be dangers and they have no protection yet the urgency of the mission impels them: "The kingdom of God is very near for you." Even when they are rejected their message is unchanged: "Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near." (Lk 10: 11) When I think of my life am I one of those who has accepted the call to discipleship? If so, in what ways do I respond to the urgency of the message? Is it that I find all sort of reasons to delay my response to the Gospel or am I put off by the negativity of others? Perhaps it is time to search with greater diligence for how I can be use to the kingdom of heaven and the Master who will follow in my footsteps? Then I will also get the chance to rejoice saying: "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" (Lk 10: 17) and hear the response: "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Lk 10: 20) 

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel we hear not only the benefits of what it means to be a disciple but also of the obstacles. Saint Luke tends to group these in threes: in the desert there are temptations of the appetites, power/wealth and miracles (Lk 4: 1-13); in the parable of the sower the seed is frustrated by the devil taking it from the hearts of the hearers, times of testing and choking by the cares and riches and pleasures of life (Lk 8: 4-15). Today we hear of another three: the desire for certainty and comfort, familial/social obligations and inability respond quickly to the follow Jesus (Lk 9: 57-62). This is a timely reminder of how difficult it is to be a disciple. We have heard the Scripture before: "... for the gate it wide and the road easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is heard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Mtt 7:13-14) Let us never underestimate the cost of discipleship or be lulled into a false sense of security. We need to constantly strive for holiness in our conduct and to be more fervant and sincere in our prayer. It is only in this way that we can hope to yield fruit for the harvest.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I am intrigued by Jesus asking the Apostles who the people in general thought he was and then directing the same question to the Apostles themselves. I think that many of us would be hesitant to do this to those close to us. This is because we can be uncertain about ourselves or even worse have such a negative self assessment that we are afraid to ask others of their honest opinions. I can't stand it when I am asked to do a personal appraisal. Yet, we know from elsewhere in the Scriptures that Jesus had, from the beginning a strong sense of self. As a young man he said to his parents: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house." (Lk 2: 49) That said the demons also knew who he was (Mk 1: 24). The reason for Jesus asking the Apostles was not for his benefit or information but for theirs. Jesus had recently multiplied the loaves and the fishes for five thousand people. He was shortly to ascend the Mount of Transfiguration and reveal that as the Messiah he must suffer at the hands of the authorities. All of this would radically challenge the pre-conceived ideas that the Apostles had regarding the nature and mission of the Messiah and subsequently for their own roles in the "Jesus Movement." As the baptised we are part of the Jesus Movement in 2016. Who we say Jesus is will also have a great impact on how we live our lives and indeed the life to come. Perhaps, today's gospel  is also for our benefit and information. Like Peter we too are prompted to respond in faith by saying that Jesus is: "The Messiah of God". (Lk 9: 21) 

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

There exists potential for confusion in the order of events with forgiveness and love in the Gospel today. To my mind this is understandable. In verse 47 Jesus says of the woman, who has just anointed his feet with ointment and her tears, that: "Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love." It is clear from this that the capacity to show love follows forgiveness. Yet, Jesus then goes on to say: "Your sins are forgiven." (verse 48) In this way he implies that forgiveness follows love. Is such a distinction necessary or helpful? Is it replaying some of the controversies of faith versus works that have blighted theology over the centuries? The Catholic tradition is always open to holding various attributes of a reality at the same time within giving one or the other priority, for example, faith and works; Tradition, Magisterium and Scripture; Eucharist as meal and sacrifice, etc. What we do know is that God has loved us first. It is only because of his love that we are able to reciprocate to Him as well as to show love to others. In this way we can see that in the Gospel grace has built on grace. The love of God by which the woman is forgiven stirs her to show love herself and this allows for further forgiveness and healing to take place. It is up to us however to respond to grace and cooperate with it so that its effects may be magnified in us and in others to whom we show love and forgiveness.