What does Jesus mean by “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” I know some good people who sit at the back of the churches because of this reading, but they've often shortened the phrase to: the last shall be first and the first last, omitting the part about being a servant to all.
I was recently speaking with a friend who openly admitted that the was the jealous type. So am I. I think it is common to jealously guard our friends, families, our positions, what we've done, etc. Our natures tend to be like that. It is what we see from the Apostles in today's readings, they each believe that they have put in the time and effort and deserve to be considered the 'greatest' one of the group. How many times have we been like that? Haven't we all done a good job at something and desired someone to say, "Hey, you did a great job."
Jesus indicates that we should let it go and not let our personal jealousy that leads to pride get in the way of doing our work. It is echoes in the first reading from the letter of St. James:
Adulterers!
Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God?
Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world
makes himself an enemy of God.
Or do you suppose that the Scripture speaks without meaning when it says,
The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward jealousy?
But he bestows a greater grace; therefore, it says:
God resists the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.
James is talking not necessarily about the physical relationship between people who are not married, but more metaphorically about our "marriage covenant" as it is between us and God, as his people for whom he sent his only son for our salvation. Should we turn away from him for the pleasures of the earth, for our innate jealousies and pride instead of accepting the grace that he gives us so that we can be united with him, then we become his enemies. Therefore, Jesus reminds us today, that we need to be humbled, that we need to serve others to preserve those graces, continue that abundant love of God, and letting it flow. Hard to do? Maybe. However, it is readily seen in caregivers, and families who are at hospitals with loved ones. This is merely one example. There are so many more. We need merely open our eyes to it.
Showing posts with label Covenant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Covenant. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Matthew 5:17-19 I Have Come to Fulfill the Law
Yesterday was "Super Tuesday" and several states voted in their primaries. Apparently history was made. This morning the Supreme Court decided to take the case on whether to uphold a Texas law that forces abortion clinics to upgrade their facilities to hospital standards in case of emergency and women's health. Presidents and laws are people that we elect to govern us and laws that are to govern us. They are civil laws made by men.
Moses on the other hand was a man of God. To him, his prophet, God gave instruction and laws to not only help his chosen people get along together in a society, but to teach them humility that they were not the end-all, but that their strength came from something far greater than them. The Israelites listened. God said, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’
When Jesus came and seemed to defy some of the Laws that the religious leaders enforced, like restoring life through healing to the injured and sick, or picking wheat on the Sabbath because he and his disciples were hungry, many thought he came to abolish the law. Jesus taught that there was no life in the Law that the Father had given the people because the people had made it all about the rules and forgotten that God so loved them. For them it was a chore to be fulfilled. It was empty without the love that was intended as part of it. Jesus tells us in today's Gospel that he did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. He comes as love itself and as God made manifest is able to complete the Law and offer us a new covenant. Unlike our man-made laws that change as our needs as society changes, God's covenant and agreement with us will never change because he created us each unique, knew us before we were born, and loves us completely.
Moses on the other hand was a man of God. To him, his prophet, God gave instruction and laws to not only help his chosen people get along together in a society, but to teach them humility that they were not the end-all, but that their strength came from something far greater than them. The Israelites listened. God said, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’
When Jesus came and seemed to defy some of the Laws that the religious leaders enforced, like restoring life through healing to the injured and sick, or picking wheat on the Sabbath because he and his disciples were hungry, many thought he came to abolish the law. Jesus taught that there was no life in the Law that the Father had given the people because the people had made it all about the rules and forgotten that God so loved them. For them it was a chore to be fulfilled. It was empty without the love that was intended as part of it. Jesus tells us in today's Gospel that he did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. He comes as love itself and as God made manifest is able to complete the Law and offer us a new covenant. Unlike our man-made laws that change as our needs as society changes, God's covenant and agreement with us will never change because he created us each unique, knew us before we were born, and loves us completely.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Mark 2:18-22 The Bridegroom Is with You
Yesterday we were invited to the Wedding Feast by the Lord. Today the scribes are asking why Jesus and his disciples do not fast like John and his disciples do. Jesus responds, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?" The answer is no, it would be an affront to not accept the hospitality offered by the bridegroom, almost an act of aggression.
A class of 11-14 years olds yesterday were talking about Jesus as the bridegroom. They discussed how the bridegroom throws the party after the wedding and how he provides the wine and other refreshments, making sure that all who are present are welcomed and comfortable. They decided that yesterday's reading really showed that he was the bridegroom because he took that part and extended the invitation to each of us because we are all followers, his disciples, and he led his disciples to the feast.
Could you imagine being called to a wedding where there was no welcome from the couple being married or their family, no celebration, no nothing? It would be non existent and what was before would remain. The kingdom isn't like that. Jesus himself indicates that he is the bridegroom. He has come in person to fulfill the prophesies. He has come in person bringing with him a new covenant. This is the meaning behind the old cloth being patched with the new cloth, or the old wine skin being patched with the new skin. They old won't hold anymore, even with the patches. God has extended to us a new, richer, deeper relationship with him through Christ Jesus. We are called to accept that invitation and celebrate with him our communion.
A class of 11-14 years olds yesterday were talking about Jesus as the bridegroom. They discussed how the bridegroom throws the party after the wedding and how he provides the wine and other refreshments, making sure that all who are present are welcomed and comfortable. They decided that yesterday's reading really showed that he was the bridegroom because he took that part and extended the invitation to each of us because we are all followers, his disciples, and he led his disciples to the feast.
Could you imagine being called to a wedding where there was no welcome from the couple being married or their family, no celebration, no nothing? It would be non existent and what was before would remain. The kingdom isn't like that. Jesus himself indicates that he is the bridegroom. He has come in person to fulfill the prophesies. He has come in person bringing with him a new covenant. This is the meaning behind the old cloth being patched with the new cloth, or the old wine skin being patched with the new skin. They old won't hold anymore, even with the patches. God has extended to us a new, richer, deeper relationship with him through Christ Jesus. We are called to accept that invitation and celebrate with him our communion.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Luke 2:36-40 The Prophetess Anna
In this presentation story following the reception of the Christ Child by Simeon, we meet Anna who also receives the Child and proclaims him to the world. It is argued by some the Simeon and Anna are prophets of the Old Testament representing all of the Jewish people of the Old Covenant waiting for the redeemer. With the reception of the Christ Child, they are accepting and recognizing the Savior and proclaiming him to the world.
Women often enjoy holding babies and seeing the hope and possibility that could come from the child, recognizing the child as a gift from God. Here Anna does not do this. She recognizes not the gift from God, but God himself. How much more the potential this Child in her arms! The One who has been long awaited. How could she not be excited? As one who as received Christ she, like Simeon, cannot but share Him with the world. Isn't it similar to what we are called to do when we receive Christ within the Eucharist? Anna is a Hebrew word that means 'grace'. How fitting then that she is given the grace of God to be his messenger to proclaim Him, to recognize Him, to receive Him, and to love Him?
And the Holy Family? They fulfill the prescriptions of the Law and return home where the child grows in wisdom and strength with "the Lord's favor upon him." It is Jesus' time for quiet growth before the Lord calls him to his vocation. We are each called to a vocation. We see one of Anna's vocations within today's reading. We hear that Joseph and Mary were called to obedience in the Law. What are you being called forth to do today that will grow God's kingdom within and around you?
Women often enjoy holding babies and seeing the hope and possibility that could come from the child, recognizing the child as a gift from God. Here Anna does not do this. She recognizes not the gift from God, but God himself. How much more the potential this Child in her arms! The One who has been long awaited. How could she not be excited? As one who as received Christ she, like Simeon, cannot but share Him with the world. Isn't it similar to what we are called to do when we receive Christ within the Eucharist? Anna is a Hebrew word that means 'grace'. How fitting then that she is given the grace of God to be his messenger to proclaim Him, to recognize Him, to receive Him, and to love Him?
And the Holy Family? They fulfill the prescriptions of the Law and return home where the child grows in wisdom and strength with "the Lord's favor upon him." It is Jesus' time for quiet growth before the Lord calls him to his vocation. We are each called to a vocation. We see one of Anna's vocations within today's reading. We hear that Joseph and Mary were called to obedience in the Law. What are you being called forth to do today that will grow God's kingdom within and around you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)