In today’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. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Before we address the question of wealth, the larger question is really “Who can be saved?” The answer in v.21 is clear – human beings cannot save themselves. Just can’t do it. But, nothing is impossible for God. Stoffregen writes: “The answer to ‘how hard?’ is ‘It’s impossible.’ Whenever we make it ‘possible’ to do with enough work or sacrifice, we miss the radical nature of Jesus’ comments; which were especially revolting because (1) it was naturally assumed that the wealthy were closer to God and were more likely to be saved than the common people and (2) it was naturally assumed that those who kept the commandments were closer to God and were more likely to be saved than the common people. The man in our text fulfilled both requirements — but doesn’t enter the kingdom — at least not based on his righteousness or wealth.” Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to (the) poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Did you know that this is the only place in the gospels of Mark, Matthew, or Luke that Jesus is said to love (agapaō) someone. Then Jesus says, “give it all away and follow me.” When I have told Bible Study groups the uniqueness of this statement of love, it is not uncommon to hear a quip, “And this is love? I’ll take a pass.” It is said in jest, but…. all recognize that suddenly the high bar got very high. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time.“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. In the Hebrew Scriptures only God is called “good,” although it was permissible to speak of “the good man” (e.g. Proverbs 12:2 etc.) as a characteristic derived from one’s fidelity to God. But the expression “Good teacher” has no parallel in Scripture or Jewish sources. One can only take it as a true expression of the man’s estimation of Jesus as someone close to God who would teach with wisdom. Continue reading
I think we are all familiar with the entertainment industry awards …. Which seems to go on forever. This month we are in the Nobel Prize season with its announcements across a breadth of topics. But did you know that in the field of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) it only awards in the categories of physics, chemistry and medicine. Given the specialization and interdisciplinary nature of STEM these days, the Nobel Prize – while prestigious – is not the pinnacle of success for most of the disciplines these days. Continue reading
In this gospel story I think poor Martha is given a bit of a hard time. After all, Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be denied her. And what do we then conclude about the part that Martha has chosen. Another way to look at this is to put yourself in Martha’s shoes. Jesus shows up at your door – would you have the presence of mind and the willingness to throw open the door and invite him in? Regardless of the readiness or what’s in the refrigerator? Maybe there is a thing or two to learn from Martha for our own spiritual enrichment Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time.The beginning of the Gospel according to Mark begins with John the Baptist citing Isaiah speaking of the messenger: “he will prepare your way…Prepare the way of the Lord.” (Mark 1:2-3) In both verses the underlying word is hodos. There are other places in Mark when hodos is used and is translated as ‘way” – e.g., “the way of God in accordance with the truth,” and describing Jesus and the apostles “on the way” in 8:27 and 10:32. So it is odd that in 10:17, the same word hodos is translated as journey in the New American Bible (NAB). Continue reading
Our gospel is the well known story referred to as the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The reading opens with a question posed to Jesus: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” After recounting the parable, the reading closes with Jesus asking the one who posed the question: “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” The man replied: “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, lectionary cycle B. Jesus has been consistently teaching his disciples the meaning of the Kingdom in his examples and explanations: greatness means to serve the least among the people (9:36-37). He has already told them that the path of discipleship will consist, not just of demonstrations of power (healing and casting out demons), but also one in which one “must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (8:34) At times these lessons have come at the end of a dispute with the Pharisees or scribes as we saw in the previous Sunday gospel. There Jesus tells the disciples about the creative intent of God in the formation of marriage and family (10:2-16) as a means of describing the Kingdom echoed in human experience. Continue reading
There was a just-ordained priest was asked to celebrate a wedding for the first time. He was nervous. So he decided to seek help from the Pastor, who told him, “Don’t worry about it. Just recite any appropriate Bible verse and everything will be all right. They’re not going to remember what you say anyway.” The day of the wedding came, and the priest was even more nervous. As he looked at the couple standing before him, he forgot everything he was going to say. Remembering what the Pastor said, he quoted the first Scripture that came to mind, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Continue reading
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