Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 105

Reading 1

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Moses said to the people:
"If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.

"For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
'Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out."

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

R. (cf. 33)  Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I pray to you, O LORD,
 for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
 with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
 in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am afflicted and in pain;
 let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
 and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
 you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
 and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
For God will save Zion
 and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
 and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

or

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R.(9a) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
 refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
 giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
 rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
 enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
 enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
 all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
 than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
 or honey from the comb.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Reading 2

Colossians 1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Alleluia

Cf. John 6:63c, 68c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;

you have the words of everlasting life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel

Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

Moses tells us today that what God wants us to this is pretty obvious. We have been given instructions through Sacred Scripture, which have been further enforced by the teachings of the Church and the traditions it has given us. These have also been complimented by various writings and revelations through the saints. There is a reminder that not only are we expected to follow the law, which has been given to us by God, but to also do it with all of our heart and soul. This emphasizes a wantonness to do this out of love for Him instead of obligation. Conducting ourselves rightly in all our affairs is something that we have to want to do. Resistance to doing what is right represents a resistance to God’s will. Eventually, choosing disobedience to God will render negative results and a life filled with shame and regret. Knowing what to do is obvious. Those of us who are reading this right now can no longer use the excuse that we were unaware of what to do or that we didn’t know what we were doing was wrong. The answers have been in front of us for our entire lifetime. Not learning them or not becoming familiar with them is a choice, with the repercussions also known and fully understood.

 

A good friend of mine told me once that, “Once we become aware, we cannot become unaware.” This is very true and means that none of us can no longer claim ignorance to the truth. Many of us might not be too familiar with God or have not developed a close relationship with Him, but that has been a choice. We need to ask ourselves a simple question: “How important is God and a relationship with Him in comparison to other things in our lives?” In the moment, when possibly facing crisis, we might answer that it is the most important thing. Unfortunately, that answer was possibly influenced by circumstances in the present. Anything lacking in that relationship was probably influenced by a different answer in the past. The good news is that the past is gone and only the present time matters. We cannot change the past, but we can change ourselves and our conduct in the present, making the adjustments necessary to change in a positive way.

 

Moses gives us the key, which is loving God. Paul further states why we should love God and follow Jesus, thus entering into an intimate relationship with Him. When he wrote his letter to the Christian Community in Colossae, Paul was addressing their understanding of Jesus Christ in relation to Creation and the Spiritual World. More of an emphasis was being placed on the angels and the inner workings of the spiritual world instead of on Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus Christ was being deemphasized in their practices, worship, and their lives. Other things were being put first. The Apostle Paul offers a straightforward statement on who Jesus Christ is and how He should be approached. This statement should have an impact on us also and how we approach Jesus Christ. By accepting Jesus and loving Him as He loves us, we become reconciled with Him and receive all the benefits that His sacrifice offers. The floodgates of our soul become open. Jesus’ love and Divine Mercy then can pour forth upon us.

 

Just as it is in any relationship, we must get to know God before we can love Him and feel His love. This takes a commitment not only to seek wisdom, but also a commitment of action. Love is a feeling. We then have to react to that feeling by expressing our love through conversation and action. Conversation would be prayers from the heart. Loving Him with our being means inviting Him into our soul and feeling His presence. Our strength can be demonstrated through our acts of charity, while our minds are influenced by our search for wisdom by educating ourselves through reading Sacred Scripture and all that the Church has to offer. It would take several lifetimes to absorb everything that is offered, but a lifetime spent not trying is a lifetime that has not been lived correctly or to its best capability.

 

Doing one or several of these is not enough. We cannot be the Levite or the priest, who may know God or follow God to a particular extent, but fail to act out this knowledge with love and affection. Just as Jesus is present in us, He is also present in everyone else. Everyone is a child of God and that birthright cannot be ignored. Loving God also means that we must love our neighbor and ourselves. When this love is felt and expressed, a new way of living is revealed. That way is the proper way and the way that the path to right relationship with God resides. And where there is God, there is joy and ultimately love.

 

Deacon Tom

 

 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 108

Reading 1

Genesis 18:1-10a

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre,
as he sat in the entrance of his tent,
while the day was growing hot.
Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;
and bowing to the ground, he said:
"Sir, if I may ask you this favor,
please do not go on past your servant.
Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,
and then rest yourselves under the tree.
Now that you have come this close to your servant,
let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;
and afterward you may go on your way."
The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."

Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,
"Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls."
He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,
and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
Then Abraham got some curds and milk,
as well as the steer that had been prepared,
and set these before the three men;
and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.

They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?"
He replied, "There in the tent."
One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year,
and Sarah will then have a son."

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5

R.(1a) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
One who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Reading 2

Colossians 1:24-28

Brothers and sisters:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his body, which is the church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Alleluia

Cf. Luke 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
"Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply,
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her."

 

 

 

 

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

 As Saint James says in his letter, “Faith without works is dead.” In our lives, it is our relationship with God that must come first. When we are in the proper relationship with Him, then our good works will flow from the love that we feel for God. When we are loved by Him or are loving Him, we can feel His presence. There will be a reaction to this. There will be a wanting within us to do things to express ourselves and proclaim aloud the feelings that we have. It is inevitable that, when we feel goodness (the purest is of course God) we will then do good things as a result. These acts will be unforced and will be done voluntarily. The result of these things will have the effect of building up the Kingdom of God on this earth, which is what Jesus Christ wants us to do. We are reminded through Him that the Kingdom of God resides within us. Thus, our actions will influence its revelation to everyone we interact with. So, the question is presented: “How are we as Christians going to let the Love of God affect our actions and conduct in a way that is beneficial, not only to us, but those we are evangelize to?” Realizing that we all are examples of the teachings of Jesus Christ and what the love of God can do, gives us a great responsibility regarding how we approach our faith-life and how we let the presence of God within us do its work.

 

In the Gospel Reading today, Martha was working very hard serving at table. She was frustrated and overburdened, while her sister remained at Jesus’ feet. The way Martha was approaching her duties was wrong. She did not do these things because she wanted to. She did them because she HAD to, and it showed. There was no spirituality or love in what she was doing. In fact, she appeared to be very put out. Mary, her sister, could of easily heled, but she remained with Jesus to be fed spiritual food. The “better way” is spirituality first followed by physical and mental action. We cannot abandon our spiritual obligations, which should also be approached with joy and love. From these things will flow a deluge of good works and charitable acts. We will be urged to do these things by God and He will become the guiding force behind them.

 

It we find ourselves filled with anxiety and fear, especially when it comes to spiritual obligation, we have to ask ourselves why this is happening. When worship and prayer produce little or no results in our lives, it is a sign that our relationship with God has to be examined. This is very important. When we are sick physically or mentally, we are more apt to see a doctor. When it comes to spiritual malady, we can often ignore it to our own detriment. Spiritual malaise will lead to mental and physical sickness. Where the spirit goes, the mind and flesh will follow. Jesus does not want us feeling discomfort. He wants to be the cure, offering a better path, which leads to joy. Yes, there is suffering as a Christian and in daily living, but God will remove that suffering if we let Him. Mary had to answer: Listening to what Jesus has to say will keep us in the moment and lead to wisdom and satisfaction.

 

The Apostle Paul points out in His letter that his sufferings are embraced, and he is thankful for them. He knows that his sufferings are a direct result of his relationship with Jesus, who by extension is the Church through the Living Body of Jesus Christ. We are all one body through Jesus Christ, so when one person suffers, we all suffer as a result. When one experiences joy, there is a causation for everyone to feel joy. This makes it even more important for us to explore our relationship with Jesus, which will bring us an understanding of our contribution to the body. We can then realize what we can contribute to that body through our good works, encouraged by an understanding of what God actually wants us to do. The Apostle Paul worked through an understanding of what Jesus wanted him to do. He did not commission himself and was not propelled by self-will. Instead, he was open to what Jesus was saying to Him, from the moment his heart was opened. When we start acting out our faith-life instead of doing things out of obligation, we will be able to feel the difference. We will not have to force ourselves to do anything. We will search for answers and will find them. We will also have the courage to ask for help from God and will also learn how to listen for a reply.  Choices between God and earthly things will become much easier. We will find beauty in the work that we do, because we will be doing it out of love because we are loved.

 

As Abraham hurried forth to prepare an extravagant meal for his visitors, we will hurry forth to do the right thing, which is the better part.

 

Deacon Tom