Author: yuengerwv

Are we comfortable? Are we well fed? Are we focused on our personal enjoyment and advancement? Are we complacent?  Amos does not withhold his chastisements.  As with last week’s Gospel, we cannot serve two masters.  The readings the past few weeks, if you have noticed, have shifted to prepare us for the end of ordinary times, which also focuses us on the end of our time on earth.  Are we ready?  Are we strong enough?  Are we prepared? 

Paul challenges us to pursue our faith.  Do we compete to win earthly treasures or do we compete well “for the faith”.  Are we willing to follow the difficult path, or do we choose the simple or easy one?  Do we train ourselves to win the everlasting glory, or the earthly glory as though there is no everlasting one?

I have heard many people say, “If I saw the miracles of Jesus, I would have believed.”  Just as those who say there is no God and no Resurrection might say, “if someone appeared from the dead, I would believe.”  The Gospel points out such is false thinking.  We have been given the truth, but we prefer the secular lies.  We have had God’s word given to us, but we prefer the words of men and women. 
We convince ourselves that God loves us just the way we are.  The rich man thought he could do whatever he desired because God had blessed him with abundance.  He sought comfort here on earth, as many people do, while he ignored the suffering of those around him.  In what ways are we like the Rich man?

I remember a movie where a wealthy businessman, who kidnaped and sold young girls into bondage, told one girl’s father who accosted him, “It isn’t personal, it’s simply business.” Then he told his staff to dispose of the “difficulty”.  How many people think the same way today.  It’s what I do to make money, or to advance, to climb the corporate ladder, or to get elected, its business, it isn’t personal.  Regardless of our “justification” for treating others the way we do, Amos is condemning the actions.  One businessperson I know, said, “If they are stupid enough to fall for the scam, they deserve to lose their money.”

In the second reading Paul ask for “supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority.”  He didn’t say we had to like them, or vote for them, or support them.  Sometimes the best we can do is pray for their conversion to the truth.  This is equally important today when some are only concerned with being elected, or staying if office, or leaving a legacy that will last for ages.

Some say that because God “wills everyone to be saved, and to come to knowledge of the truth,” that everyone will go to heaven.  They forget that God gives everyone free will, to accept or reject God’s will for them.  Paul doesn’t say everyone will be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. 

In the Gospel, we need to avoid getting caught up in the story and look at why it is being told!  Jesus picks up on what Amos is saying in the first reading, “No servant can serve two masters.”  Where do our loyalties lay?  Too many people in today’s world say, “I only do this because I have to, to get elected.” Or “If I don’t do it, they will find someone else to do it and I won’t have a job!” How many are brave enough to join with Sir Thomas Moore and say, “I am the king’s servant, but God’s first!”

In the first reading we have Moses and God in a discussion.  God is unhappy with the fact that despite all the miracles the Israelites had experienced they quickly abandoned God.  I remember someone saying, “What has God done for ME?” Or “That was then, what is he doing for me TODAY?”  Are we that greedy and self-centered that it is all about ME and what I want?  Are we so impatient that we are unwilling to allow God to have things unfold in his desired timing?
We also have an example of intercession for others.  Moses is interceding with God on behalf of the people.  Do we ever intercede for others?  When we talk with God, is it all about us and our desires?  When we see the wheels of our civil courts mete out punishment, do we pray that the recipient will be transformed and made better or do we simply say, “Yes! Justice!”

Paul in his letter to Timothy points to the mercy of God.  Despite deserving punishment for his treatment of early Christians, Paul has been made a disciple.  He can hardly believe that God would be so kind and merciful.  As mentioned above, do we seek mercy for others or just for ourselves?

In the Gospel we have Jesus responding to his critics who complain that he is spending time with the wrong group of people, the outcasts, the politically incorrect, the bad people of society.  As mentioned above, do we desire Justice or Mercy?  Most people I know ask for mercy for themselves, but demand Justice for everyone else!  Such permeates our social institutions today as well.  One of the reasons those who wanted Jesus dead was because he made them “look bad” to others in his parables.  Are we humble enough to listen to Jesus’ words and make changes in our lives?  Or are we like the “good” brother who would rather see those who we dislike or have made mistakes to be dismissed and cast off?

How smart and wise do you think you are?  Academic degrees are not the primary indication of being smart, and years of life are not the primary indication of wisdom.
In the first reading we are reminded that no matter how smart and wise we may think we may be, we are far below the knowledge and wisdom of God. The capacity to learn things is not inherent, but a gift from God, who makes all of our technology and use of the resources provided by him possible. I remember hearing a story about a scientist arguing with God, that he (the scientist) could create life too.  God said to show him.  The scientist stooped and gathered some dirt to make his creation.  God stopped him and said, “Wait, I made that.  Get your own!”  I also remember speaking with a surgeon.  He admitted that he can remove bad parts of the body and put things back together, but that was only facilitating the healing process.  Only God can heal the body.

In the second reading, I have heard of some who use this story to say slavery is supported and acceptable according to the bible.  Those who use this argument are missing the point of the message.  Paul is not asking Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a slave, but as a brother.  He is challenging Philemon to open his heart to see all as brothers and sisters, not as property to be bought and sold.  How do we treat our neighbors?  I have heard that there are those who treat hired help as though they are less human.  Paul VI in his encyclical Humanae Vitae isn’t talking primarily about birth control or abortion.  He is talking about the value of human life.  He is reminding us of the choice that human life either has value or no value.  Anything in between is purely arbitrary.  He lived during a time when Germany stated in statutes that those with Jewish heritage were not persons.  In our own day, there are those who treat others as though they are less than human.  Humans are treated as objects for my own gratification or discarded because they interrupt my personal desires for “happiness”.

In the Gospel Jesus is not telling us to hate our relatives, families and friends.  Nor is he telling us that possessions are evil.  Jesus is reminding us of our priorities.  What is most important?  Are we willing to stab a co-worker in the back to obtain a promotion? Are we willing to cheat and steal to obtain a goal we desire?  Are we strong enough to say I will not behave or accept certain behaviors to get ahead.  Are we so concerned about our possessions that we don’t care about the quality of life those who made the possessions?  Were they enslaved or in forced labor?  How many people call themselves disciples of Jesus but are unwilling to accept the burden that goes with such?  Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t a walk in the park!  Jesus says we need to carry our cross, he doesn’t say to have our servants carry it for us!  Do we embrace our faith and our cross?  How many will refuse because it isn’t politically correct or would hinder our advancement?

Following on last week’s call for discipline, we have Sirach mentioning one of those disciplines that are essential: “conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.”  Some see humility as a negative, as negating oneself and demeaning oneself before others as in having a low self-esteem.  Such is not true humility, but a false humility imposed by others trying to dominate us for their own self-worth or pleasure.
In the Gospel Jesus points out a common issue in today’s world where people try to intimidate others by emphasizing their own personal sense of worth or value?  “I have more power”, “I have more money”, I have greater status in the community”.  I have witnessed even, bishops, priests, and others in faith communities having the same issues.  Remember Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. If we truly do that there is no issue “status” but a reminder: How can you love a God you cannot see, if you cannot love a neighbor whom you can see?

In the first reading we hear from Isaiah that God desires to gather people from all nations.  God does indeed desire all peoples to respond to his call.  This sets up the response of Jesus to the question, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” The LORD tells the prophet, “I know their works and their thoughts.”  It is important to tie the second reading into this where the author of Hebrew states: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.”  In today’s world, discipline seems to be limited to sports or climbing the economic or corporate ladder.  Even among Christians “disciples”, discipline seems to be a nasty word that is to be avoided at all costs, because it may limit what “I” want.  Instead of enduring our trials we seek to eliminate all trials as unnecessary and evil because it conflicts with our desires.  Discipline in our world seems a cause not for joy but for pain, and we want to avoid all pain and struggles, even though ‘later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.”
Jesus recognizes the need for discipline and doesn’t respond as some do today, with a feel good theology, that “everyone” will get to heaven and be happy.  He states, “Many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”  Some will be left “outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’”  Then some who call themselves disciples will say, “’We ate and drank in your company, and you taught in our streets.’”  How does he respond to them?  “’I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’”  This hardly sounds like a warm fuzzy Jesus who will welcome everyone into heaven, regardless of their behaviors.  He warns the disciples, “And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.”  Calling ourselves disciples of Jesus isn’t enough.  Saying “Jesus is my Lord and savior,” isn’t enough.  There is no discipleship without discipline.

We hear in the first reading regarding the secularist’s approach to Jeremiah.  How much does it remind us of some today who object to the Church’s teachings?  They object and say we are demoralizing people, making them feel bad about themselves, we are not interested in the welfare of all people but in their ruin!  They say the Church doesn’t want them to be happy but to make them outcast because they are different.  Like King Zedekiah, many government officials and courts have said they are in your power, do whatever is necessary to silence it.
The second reading reminds us that we “are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.”  We need to, “persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”  We are called to do such out of love for our neighbors not out of desire for persecuting them.  However, just as Jesus endured the cross, we too need to endure the criticisms and chastisements of the secular world that only focuses on the short-term desires of their flesh rather than the long-term desire for heaven.
Some people only want a church that is warm and fuzzy and tells them anything they do is ok, no matter how evil it may be.  Yet such isn’t what Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “I have come to set the earth on fire.”
Some think Christianity is all about being peaceful and loving, “I’m OK, You’re OK”, God loves us just the way we are, we have no need to do the better, he would want us to be happy even if we are living a sinful life.  Yet Jesus responds to this thinking with, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”  The call to holiness is often at odds with secular world.  Are we willing to challenge the world to be holy or are we simply going to sit back and say, “it has nothing to do with me!”?

The first reading informs us that there are those who had been responding to God’s call long before Moses came. It says, “in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice and putting into effect with one accord the divine institution.” This passage reminds us that, like the Israelites in Egypt, we can respond to God regardless of the circumstances in our lives. How are we responding to God’s call in our lives? Do we reject God’s call because we are not “permitted” because of political circumstances?
The Responsorial Psalm reminds us that we have been chosen to be God’s own, and he has blessed us. How do we respond to the blessings God has given? Are we grateful or do we just want more?
Paul reminds us that faith is not in something we can see or grab or something we can prove to people. It is “the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.” We don’t have faith because we have seen, we have faith because we have not seen. This provides us with the hope of things yet to come, things not yet here. Just because God has not yet fulfilled our faith does not mean God is unfaithful. Even Abraham., Sarah, Isaac and others did not Live to see God’s promise completed, yet they had faith and believed he would accomplish what he had promised he would do. Do we get upset when God’s promises ro us remain unfilled? Are we patient to realize things unfold in God’s time?
Jesus himself recognizes that not everything will happen in the manner we think it will. He tells us to “Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach, nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Where is our treasure? Our family? Our finances? Our possessions? Our job? Our hobbies? Are we like the good servants who await their master’s return from a wedding? Do we have patience and perseverance?

“Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” Perhaps one of the more famous quotes from the bible. Yet how subject are we to labor over many things that have little meaning in the long run. We have bigger houses today than I think any time in history, yet how many rooms does it take for a family to live comfortably. We have clothes we haven’t worn for years. We have so much stuff we pay rent to others just to store stuff we never use and don’t need. As it says, we take nothing with us when we die. Are we storing up treasure in heaven or earth?
Paul reminds us to “put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.” Where are we placing our emphasis? Our job, our family, our spouse, our possessions?
Jesus picks up on this when someone asks him to, “Tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He reminds the asker, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Yet how many of us give in to the commercials to buy things we do not need? Along with the quote in the first paragraph comes the common one “eat, drink, be merry!” perhaps among the most quoted, though we separate it from the reality. What will be of us when we die? In our secular world there is nothing. Jesus reminds us that the life to come should be our focus.

When I read this scripture, I have often thought that I would like Abraham to be with me when I am negotiating the price for a house or a new car. To me it speaks of several things. One is when we ask why God doesn’t punish the evil doers. Did you ever think their mothers were praying for them just as Abraham was here? Another thought is the importance of intercessory prayer. We are all called to be priests interceding for the needs of those around us. Do we see ourselves as an Abraham talking to God on behalf of those we love, and perhaps even those we don’t like? Paul reminds us of the fact that Jesus died for us even though we didn’t deserve it. Even when we were dead in transgressions of our flesh. Do we respond to others the way Abraham responded by interceding for us or the way Jesus responded to us?
In the Gospel, Jesus continues this thought in the prayer he taught the disciples. “Forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive eve1yone in debt to us.” Do we? Do we forgive everyone in debt to us? Our enemies? Our friends? Our family? Our spouse? Do we place a limit on that forgiveness? This is not to say we allow ourselves to be abused repeatedly, but to forgive is an essential pa11 of the healing process. How can we ask God to forgive us if we are unwilling to forgive others, even when they don’t ask for forgiveness?