Monthly Archives: October 2024

Grace for the Journey

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What is the longest river in the world? Gotta’ be the Nile River, right? It flows 1,700 miles from Khartoum, Sudan to the Mediterranean Sea – and that is just where the White and Blue Niles meet. You can follow the White Nile south to Lake Victoria bordering Uganda… and then the arguments begin on what is the source of any river. Clearly rivers, streams, and the like flow into Lake Victoria – do you get to keep following the water flow? Even as recently as 2006 the geographers and cartographers were seeking the “headwaters of the Nile River.”  The most recent claim is a muddy hole in Nyungwe Forest in southwest Rwanda. The forest area is spectacular, the muddy hole not so much. Personally, I would have taken Lake Victoria as the headwater.  Think about it: a great lake giving greatness to the greatest river. Continue reading →

Fearless

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As the disciples will discover in the Passion of the Christ and in their own experience of mission, the power of the world is quite real. Throughout the millennia of Christianity many of those who have given witness to Jesus (the true meaning of martyrs) have also given their lives. And while death remains a primal fear and thus we fear those who wield its power, Jesus tells the disciples: “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.  I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna;  yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” (v.4 in the same chapter)  After all, if we are people who believe in the Resurrection, then the power of mortal death is rather limited, but the authority that extends into immortal life is the real power, without limit.  Continue reading →

Ransom

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45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” As a follow on to Pheme Perkin’s discussion about ransom  (lytron) and its meaning as the price paid to free a slave, Matt Skinner offers additional insight:

Jesus’ mention of a “ransom” indicates that his death will be more than just an inspiring example or a martyr’s tragic protest against an unjust system. The word in question (in Greek, lytron) indicates that his death does something; it secures a release. This verse often sparks lively debates, and it has a history of, in my opinion, being misunderstood by those who take the notion of a “ransom” to mean a specific type of payment. In those readings, Jesus’ death is transactional, a payment made to satisfy the penalties accrued by human sin or to repay something owed to God. Continue reading →

Your Friends Make Known

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The refrain from today’s psalm proclaims: “Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.” The words of psalm are taken from Psalm 145, verses 10-18.  The words proclaim the glory of God and the splendor of His Kingdom. They extol the justice, power and holiness of God’s works. The words announce the everlasting presence of the kingdom and the call to all to draw near. Continue reading →

The Others Disciples

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This coming Sunday is the 29th Sunday in Year B of the lectionary cycle. In previous posts we have explored the request for glory from the Apostles James and John, Jesus answer, the reaction of the other disciples and a subsequent teaching from Jesus on servant leadership: Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 44 whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.  Continue reading →

The Awkward Dinner Party

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The gospels for these daily Mass readings have been taken from Luke 11:37-54. The context is found in the opening verse:

37After he had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. 38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.

Awkward!

Growing up we were taught that “polite conversation” at the dinner table did not include sex, politics or religion. Clearly, the Pharisee – even as host – did not feel the same restrictions applied to him. I don’t recall any specific life lessons about what to do, when as a guest, the host transgresses against the rules of “polite conversation.” What did Jesus do?
Continue reading →

Jesus’ Reply

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This coming Sunday is the 29th Sunday in Year B of the lectionary cycle. In previous posts we have explored the request for glory from the Apostles James and John: ““Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” (Mark 10:37). Jesus has questioned if they really understand what they are asking and its consequences:  “Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” To which the two apostles respond: “We can.”  Continue reading →

Tone and Symbolism?

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This coming Sunday is the 29th Sunday in Year B of the lectionary cycle. It is a familiar story in which James and John seek glory: ““Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” (Mark 10:37). In our previous post, Jesus has answered them “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” Continue reading →

Grace and Freedom

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As mentioned in reflection on last Friday’s first reading, the epistle to the Galatians, the apostles makes clear that justification does not come by works of the law: “For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse.” The Church has, from its earliest times, condemned “works salvation” as early as the 4th century AD in addressing the Pelagian heresy. The dialogue was severely muddied in the Reformation of the 16th century (and following) with the position of “faith alone” from the Reformers most severely expressed in strict Calvinism. The reformed apologist shakes the bones of St. Paul for the better argument of faith alone. The Catholic apologist shakes the bones of St. James to counter that faith without works is dead. Even that obfuscates the Catholic position: “grace alone.” It is from the grace of God accepted in the freedom of a person that gives rise to faith and works – not “of the law” but of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Continue reading →

Whatever we ask

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This coming Sunday is the 29th Sunday in Year B of the lectionary cycle. It is a familiar story in which James and John seek glory: 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 He replied, “What do you wish (me) to do for you?” 37 They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”

Even before the request is revealed, the very sound of the question seems brash: “whatever we ask.” It is as though they want a “blank check” from Jesus. Is it enthusiasm? Is it brazenness? Is it coming from a sense of “I deserve a reward for having followed you these many, many months?” Is it arising from a sense of “I have looked at the other 10 and we are the ones you should pick?”  Hard to know, but in any event, Jesus simply asks them what they desire. Continue reading →