October 17: St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr

28th Sunday: "The One thing"

 

"How hard for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God"

Mark 10: 2-16

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101324.cfm

May your grace, O Lord, we pray

at all times go before us and follow after

and make us always determined to carry out good works.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God

for ever and ever. 

(Opening Collect)

Just imagine a camel trying to crouch down and force itself headfirst through a needle’s eye.  The image is comical and weird in its own way not to mention that something is seriously wrong with that camel.

But the point of Jesus’ analogy in our Gospel is not to make some sort of outlandish joke but rather, in his rabbinical style just as we have heard these last few Sundays, to make a point so clear that the image drives it home to us.  In this case he speaks with a word of sadness undoubtedly to the sincere young man’s desire to gain eternal life.  “You are lacking in one thing” Jesus says to the man who defends his upright Jewish life of faithfulness to the commandments.  That "one thing" is to let go of the grasp of wealth.

 Note how the Gospel passage from Mark begins: “As Jesus was setting out on a journey a man ran up . . .” Mark frames this event as our Lord begins to set out on a “journey.” As he sets out a wealthy man eagerly approaches Jesus with great honor, he kneels before him. The wealthy man is eager but feels a nagging sense that although obedient to the commandments and living an upright life, there must be something more to gain eternal reward that he hasn’t done yet, so he awaits Jesus’ response. You can imagine the hope on his face and so does Jesus as he looks at him with love reading his sincerity.

The man’s question elicits a response from Jesus who then lists six of the Ten Commandments.  These commandments concern our relationship with one another and that concerning the possessions of others; the things of this world and our human relationships which he obviously enjoys and lives them out as the Bible intends. Jesus senses his respect for God but also sees where the attachment lies, in the people and possessions that are such a focus of wealth in his life. He must make a radical choice, he must let go. Yet, not realizing this one more thing he proudly states that he has been a serious minded Jew – “. . . all of these I have observed from my youth.” Does he see his wealth and advantage as a kind of entitlement? He likely, as the apostles as well, view his earthly abundance as a blessing from God. So I must be on the right track!

In Jesus response to the man, he asks a central question that all who want to truly be a disciple of Jesus must answer, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor . . . then come, follow me.”  To set out in journey with Jesus means to pay the full price of what God asks of us – singular and central love of God and then all others come into proper perspective. What or who do I love more than God or where are my real riches? Can I embrace the radical choice of letting go?

Obviously, the man is shocked by Jesus fuller demand to let go of what the man deems power, influence, advantage, and most of all a blessing from God.  Let go of it, give it away, then we can unhindered follow in the way of Christ. The young man’s whole demeanour changes to which Jesus comments on the power of possessions and misplaced wealth.in the camel and the needle’s eye analogy. It is not only difficult for people possessed by their possessions or by the pursuit of earthly values, but near impossible to enter the kingdom of God

Clearly to follow the Lord is to lay aside that which holds us back; that which possess us. To lose a certain security and to seek trust and a wise choice.

Our first reading from Wisdom beautifully illustrates this in which the author pleads for “wisdom.” To the ancient Jews the pursuit of wisdom meant practical advice on how to manage one’s life and possessions.  That’s a worthy desire of course but more deeply how to order one’s life in relationship with God is the fuller question; the rest of the demand to Christian discipleship. To seek wisdom is to desire to know what God asks of us and to willingly embrace that; to order my life with wisdom (God) at the center.

After the dejected man leaves Jesus company, he comments about the difficulty that a well-meaning but misguided priority of our life will lead us down the wrong path: “How hard it is to enter he kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Assuming wealth is a sign of God’s favor the disciples are shocked at the explanation Jesus gives.  But he assures them that if we place our main priority on God we can have confidence on his journey: “With God all things are possible.” It is not impossible for the rich to attain salvation but it is harder due to their greater attachments.

We don’t earn our salvation as if it were a reward or an entitlement such as an inheritance. Although right behavior is of course beneficial, ultimately it is God’s grace in our lives.  It is the pursuit of the Spirit (wisdom) and only with him will the gift of salvation be received.  It is not what we do or what we have but rather what God has done for us in his Son.

If we prioritize our lives where God is the center, if we are willing to sacrifice for a higher good even that of our own lives for the Gospel values ultimately then an even greater wealth awaits us in heaven. That’s the high road of a deeper spiritual life that is possible only through sacrifice. To live with a central place for God in our lives and to pursue the wisdom of the spirit above all other attachments and pleasures is to order things rightly. But that demands that we can’t have it all; we must learn to say “no,” in order to say “yes” to Christ.

Our Lord’s response is reassuring about the riches that will come to Peter and to others who have done what Jesus advises: “. . . a hundred times more now and in this present life . . .” The what’s in it for me question seems natural yet still a bit off the mark.  Jesus essentially lays the grounds for discipleship.

Each week we gather at Mass around the table of the Lord.  Not to be spectators but to fully and actively participate. The pews are not filled with inanimate objects but with human beings beloved by God who seeks a relationship with us.

We come to give thanks that we receive the gift God offers to us – that of his own Son.  At the same time, we are there to recognize our true wealth in Christ. Whatever we are holding on to or holds on to us we must let go. It isn’t only material wealth that holds us: bad habits, unhealthy relationships, unforgiveness, prejudice and racism our own personal sin. 

I recently read what I felt was a wonderful insight about the power of secular culture today: “We give a nod to God and then go and do what we want.” If we seek wisdom above all, Christ Jesus himself above all, then all else will take its rightful place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27th Sunday: "For as long as you both shall live"

"This one is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh"

Mark 10: 2 - 16

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100624.cfm 

Any one of us priests could write a book about all that we have seen and heard.  Maybe call it: “Ministry – Believe it or not!” I think a centre chapter of the book would be entitled: “Weddings – I’m not making this up!” The chapter may include some anecdotal events the celebrant was never told would happen. Perhaps fear he would say, “Don’t you dare.”

An Elvis impersonator did appear during the Nuptial Mass and present the rings. (A planned secret of the Best Man who didn’t tell anyone, including the priest, bride and groom, or parents, no one!).

Yes, the Bride did skip and sing down the middle isle with her Father – in Church.

 Yes, I was asked to officiate at a wedding near the bottom of a 500 ft waterfall. (I said “No”).

 Yes, an open bar was found in the sacristy before the wedding began. I’m not making any of this up – believe me. 

 What about the guidelines set by the parish that such inappropriate things were not allowed?

Well, when you cannot imagine that such things would happen, and the parish is never informed of them ahead of time what can be done now? “Close the bar, immediately!” to begin with.

Meanwhile, Wineries and Country Clubs are encouraging couples to celebrate their nuptials at their venue and many couples, Catholic and otherwise, are doing so. They then come to the Church after the fact and want Father to “bless” their marriage.  While such unexpected interventions are not the norm, thank God, there are some beautiful Catholic traditions that are being respected.  

In our first reading this Sunday Genesis relates the Biblical explanation of marriage, God’s original design for marriage “from the beginning,” as Jesus reminds us, to seriously consider in our Gospel from Mark which opens with a controversial legal question asked of Jesus by the Pharisees: “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”  

Being somewhat of a loaded question as it always was by the Pharisees, Jesus in typical Jewish style responds with another question: “What did Moses tell you?” Then the debate begins after the question designed to trap Jesus on where he stands in their ancient traditions. 

The larger context is worthy of reflection.

Just a small but important distinction to make, among the present-day Christian Churches, the Catholic Church is the only Christian religious organization which essentially prohibits divorce and articulates the essential indissolubility of marriage – “until death do you part.” When a Catholic person is married in the Church, it is expected and assumed they will remain united for life. 

All other mainline Christian Churches while not encouraging it, make provisions for and allow divorce on a few specific grounds and generally have a more relaxed non-sacramental view of marriage.  Some even allow for alternative lifestyle marriages as such.

However, the Catholic Church is not blind to the fact that Catholics do divorce, or at least separate, sometimes for good reasons such as the personal safety of the wife and children, other times a pattern of infidelity or a serious alcohol addiction on the part of one of the spouses, etc.

Our first reading from the Book of Genesis is a beautiful one put in context.  “The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” (Gen 2: 28).  

So, we are presented this week with two pictures. Genesis states that from the moment of creation, our God who creates purely out of love creates a being to love and to be loved.  The “suitable partner” for the man was of course one created from the same substance as him – a woman; a complimentary partner with whom to share equally and to be seen as equal in nature and design. Introvert and extrovert admitted we humans are not meant to live a solitary life, but we are created for community as God’s people.

So, we interpret this as the divine intention of the married state from God himself – two equal partners, male and female, created with dignity, not only for each other but together to be loved by God himself and to create a harmony of relationships in which they find life through their interaction with others. Those two equal partners would be given a great privilege – to bring new life into the world and to do so motivated by selfless love because that is how they were created by God who can only love selflessly.  The fruit of children is the sign of union between husband and wife. That union was not intended to be broken once joined together. 

As St. Paul reminds us: “As Christ loves his Church.” This human sacred bond, covenant, was a life-long bond that would be ended only at the time of physical death. 

Now, we may see such a lofty idyllic image as more of a hope than a reality considering what we see today.  The Pharisees question in the Gospel may be closer to our lived experience.  The whole question of divorce comes in, something that everyone of us is familiar with either in one’s family or maybe in your own personal experience.

With our present-day sensibilities and properly correct language we may be a bit uncomfortable by this Sunday's Gospel.  Jesus' commentary on marriage, divorce, and adultery is a challenge to the present day cultural experience of the 50% divorce rate, single parent households, the same-gender "marriage" debate, the painful reality of infidelity we find in marriages, the silent monster of sexual abuse, the lower number of couples being married in a Church ceremony, the not uncommon number of unmarried couples living together (male/female) with an undecided sense of whether to ever marry, the number of children that are born out of wedlock, and the general acceptance of alternative lifestyles leaves marriage and family life in a more broken condition. 

But, for all the numbers which may paint a gloomy picture of marriage and family life, there are still thousands and thousands of healthy Christ centred marriages in the Christian world and other families everywhere.  Yet, the problems are daunting. Yet, the Gospel indeed presents us with a high ideal, an ideal worth striving for.  Without such effort any marriage will either fall flat and be lifeless or in the end simply die.  

I think the greatest challenge today is that what achieves any high ideal is commitment.  We live in a time when many younger people in their 20’s and 30’s, a typical age to marry, simply have no interest in long term commitments or they are not capable of permanency.  Marriage “forever” seems too limiting, too restricting when their lives have been filled with abundance and the freedom to choose. Children are an obstruction to one’s free life. So, pets become substitutes for family life.  Raising a dog is nothing like raising a human being!   

What is Jesus saying in the Gospel?  His commentary essentially goes to the first reading from Genesis about the equality of man and woman and God’s original intent.  God created us in his image not to be subservient or to dominate one another but to share life equally and to be complete before him.  Yet in Jesus' time a husband could divorce his wife with barely a reason. All that was essentially needed was a "bill of divorce" and the marriage would be over with, and the women sent off. One opinion: If she burns your dinner, you may divorce her!

And the words of Jesus which have become and must always be upheld by the Church about the nature of the marriage covenant – that is a permanent bond of mutually shared life and love between two equal partners of male and female out of which is produced new life.  And that God is inviting himself to every marriage which then can become a life sustaining union of three. When Jesus appeared at the wedding at Cana, miraculous things happened because they invited him.  

What may be missing in some marriages is essentially that faith dimension.  While there is no magic bullet for those who share faith and live it out in family life the odds are far more in their favour for success than they would be otherwise.  To recognize the deep spiritual value of marriage as a sacrament and a sacred Covenant between God and the couple in which Christ offers his love and grace to a couple is an essential firm foundation on which to build one’s particular married life together. The ordained minister of Deacon, Priest or Bishop acts as the official witness of Christ and the Church to witness their mutual exchange of marriage vows and to call down the Spirit’s blessing upon that couple as they minister the Sacrament to one another. In the setting of the Church building that sacred environment is maintained and emphasized even more. 

Marriage and family life is a fundamental building block for society.  In today’s culture that resists permanency and lifelong faithfulness even more is this icon of stability and loyalty needed.  In our Catholic life as ordained ministry and holy marriage travel in harmony side by side we see the reflection of God’s desire for humanity to be in union with one another – it is not good to be alone – and to cooperate with our Creator for the common good of all. For those who feel called to the marriage vocation, such should be their goal from the beginning.

 

O God, who in creating the human race willed that man and wife should be one, 

join, we pray, in a bond of inseparable love these your servants

who are to be united in the covenant of Marriage, so that, as you make their love fruitful,

they may become, by your grace, witnesses to charity itself.

(Collect of  Wedding Mass)

  

 

25th Sunday: The futility of climbing

 

"If you wish to be first, he shall be the last of all . . ."

Mark 9: 30 - 37

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092224.cfm

O God, who founded all the 

commands of your sacred Law

upon love of you and of our neighbor,

grant that, by keeping your precepts,

we may merit to attain eternal life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

(collect of Mass)

As a young child I was a notorious climber: up on chairs, stairs, over rocks on hills, etc. I don’t remember the turning point when I realized that such things, to a small child, can be dangerous and disruptive. 

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus does warn us about the futile pursuit of climbing; not in the way a child may do so on a chair or table. But rather, as the disciples, with some shame I suppose admit to him they have been arguing about “who is the greatest.” Who has the competitive edge? We don’t know what they were saying but you can imagine the competition between Peter, Matthew, James and John as to who was deemed #1 in Jesus’ “kingdom.” It all seems a bit ludicrous as they stand in the presence of the Son of God. 

Nonetheless, their desire to climb higher and outdo one another is then addressed by Jesus in a stark manner. He takes a child, puts his arms around him and reminds them that in his kingdom, the greatest is the lowest, as children were in ancient society.  That sort of perspective is hardly what they imagined for them. I would assume they stood there somewhat dumbfounded. Like a child?

So, what does it mean to be a leader in the way of Christ?  "To know one's place in the world" is a well-supported definition.  To be simple and to reach out to the small and the great.  To respect the dignity of every person.  To sit in the lowest place among the "common" people; to serve the needs of others despite a position of authority.

According to scholars, the Greek word that Mark uses in his Gospel for servant, that Jesus surely intended, is diakonos. Essentially this servant is the one who performs the menial tasks, the work of a slave.  This is greatness in Jesus’ world and so it should be in ours.

It conjures up a picture of St. Teresa of Calcutta or our own Pope Francis. By their example they embody an image of humility.  In doing so, in being a servant, our interaction with one another becomes a way to welcome Christ himself.  In our society, so bent on wealth, power, beauty, and fame, such greatness as Jesus describes often goes unnoticed or is at best dismissed as nothing.  Yet, in the mind of God and that of Christians such true greatness and power are far more lasting and Christ-like. 

The second part of this Sunday’s Gospel is a continuation of Jesus teaching his disciples about the full meaning of his ministry and its ultimate purpose: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise." It stands in stark contrast to the divisive speech of the disciples and Jesus’ response to the greatness of a follower. As Jesus gave everything of himself for the sake of humanity and fulfilled the Father’s will, so we too, in our Christian life achieve greatness not through seeking fame and fortune but through a heart of loving service, “diakonos,” towards one another.  A life of compassion, mercy and love is far greater than ruling through power, manipulation and fear.

Our second reading from Wisdom foretells the suffering of the “prophet.”  With an almost sarcastic tone we read: “For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes . . . Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him. (Wis 2: 17ff). Let’s call his bluff and challenge his claim!

So, the ever-present character of a Christian is once again illustrated in stark example for us. Our gathering for Eucharist is the true encounter with Christ whose ultimate example of service with love was offered on the cross.  The giving of himself for our sake and his real and constant presence in the Eucharist is a testimony not only of his love for us but generates the energy we need to love one another.

The good that we do in the name of Christ comes back to us one hundred-fold.  It’s just the way it works. Only then are we truly a humble people. Fr. James Martin, SJ puts it well: "Humility is one of the gateways to the spiritual life.  It is also one of the most necessary attributes for any kind of life in prayer."