4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's episode is shocking for the level of hatred and violence stirred up by Jesus' words. In a tranquil provincial synagogue, at a usual sabbath service, ordinary people are so enraged that they try to lynch a member of their own congregation who has grown up in their midst. What could occasion such an astonishing turn of events. Jesus has just proclaimed a year of Jubilee and the fulfillment of Gods promises. Surely that is Good News! Yet, the people are scandalized that it should be  one of their own, the son of a carpenter, who is speaking to them. Even worse he speaks of God being there for gentiles as well as Jews. As nationalist Jews the congregation's sense of exclusivity and entitlement is being challenged radically. Thus, snobbery, exclusiveness and power bring them to homicidal anger. This brings to fulfillment the prophecy given by Simeon at the Presentation in the Temple: "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed...." (Luke 2: 34) Jesus later tells his disciples that they, too, will be opposed: "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you" (John 15: 18) In fact, it is problematic when Christians are lauded by the world: "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets." (Luke 6: 26) Since this is the case, as Catholics we should not be surprised when the media, politicians or celebrities mock, deride or attack us for our faith. This is a sign that we are following in the footsteps of our Master. After all we are called to be heirs to the blessings of God: "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Mtt 5: 11)

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

St Luke writes: "I too decided... to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which which you have been instructed." (Lk 1: 3-4) As we embark on the journey through Luke's gospel in this Year C of the Lectionary we stand in the shoes of Theophilus. We, too, have been instructed and are believers yet we also need to delve deeper into the mysteries into which we have been baptized. Our thirst for the truth can never be slaked sufficiently such that we no longer need to hear the Word of God afresh. As disciples of the Lord we need both the discipline of listening to the truth as well as the discipline of the sacraments to train us in the ways of our Master. Let us take time to set aside opportunities, outside of the Sunday Mass, for silent prayer, meditation, individual and group devotions, Eucharistic adoration, spiritual reading, fasting, almsgiving and spiritual sharing so that we may become more informed, dedicated and joy filled disciples of our Lord. Ours is a living Word and a living faith. It has the power to save now just as it did on that day in Nazareth. As we listen each Sunday to the Gospel let us be aware: "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Lk 4: 14) 

A Challenge from Dietrich Bonhoeffer

When I read this recently, written by the theologian who openly opposed the Nazis, I was challenged both personally and pastorally:

"Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. We are fighting today or costly grace. Cheap grace means a grace sold on the market like cheapjack's wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices. Grace is represented as the church's inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessing with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits... Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door a which a man must knock.

Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'ye were bought at a price,' and what cost God much cannot be cheap for us."  

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The metaphor to describe God's relationship with the Chosen People as a marriage occurs throughout the Old Testament and is evident in today's First Reading. The image is taken up by St John the Baptist who refers to himself as the "friend of the bridegroom" (Jn 3: 29) and by Jesus, who applies it to himself, for example, in Luke 5: 33-35. Thus, the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage does not apply solely to human relationships but also the relationship between the Church and God. To change the teaching on marriage would destabilize the sacramental economy and the coherence of its symbolism.

Baptism of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord is more a feast of the Incarnation than it is about the sacrament of baptism. Jesus identifies with the Jewish people in their struggles and unites with them in preparing the way for the Kingdom of which he is the protagonist. The early Christians were alert to the distinction between the baptism of John and their own which came from Jesus: "He (Apollos) had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John." (Acts 18: 25) Christian baptism is not merely one of repentance. In the Second Reading today we hear that out of God's mercy we have been saved: "through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3: 4) The Holy Spirit, of which we become temples in our own baptism, continues to guide and inform out lives not just in that moment but throughout the whole of our lives. It is through repentance that we open our eyes, ears and heart to what Jesus asks of us and how we can further his mission all the centuries after he was immersed in the Jordan and showed forth his mission as the promised Messiah: "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.' " (Luke 3: 22) 

Epiphany of the Lord

The epiphany of the Lord to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, is different from that to the Jews, represented by the shepherds. The former are experts in science, need to consult the Scriptures and are rich, since they open their treasures chests to offer the Lord gifts. The latter are simple countrymen, they do not consult the Scriptures and they have no gifts to offer. The thing they have in common is that both groups respond to the signs they are given and when they find the Holy Family they are filled with joy. It is a truism to say that people experience God in different ways yet we need to remember that when sometimes we are irritated by the spirituality or religious views of others. What is most important is that our desire for the Lord and our encounter with him brings us joy. It is a joy that we can share with others and is amplified when realize how wonderful the Lord is who became flesh or our sake and sacrificed himself so that we might know the life and love of God in such a special and beautiful way.