Pastor's Letter 20210926 - 26 September 2021 - Open-Minded Respect for All

[Father Michael]

September 26th, 2021

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Message from Father †Michael

Today’s Theme:   “Open-Minded Respect for All”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

By the very fact of the Incarnation, the mystery whereby divinity embraced all of humanity, the Spirit of God’s loving and merciful goodness was unleased upon the earth—not as the private option of one particular group, sex, nation or religious persuasion—but for all people (†Mark.)  Those called into the service of the Spirit are selected, not by human convention, but by the Lord, Himself (Numbers.) For this reason, the poor, and not the rich…the downtrodden and not their oppressors…the condemned, and not their accusers…will reap the harvest of eternal joy (†James.)

Today, we might speak of our awareness of God’s presence in terms of conscience, inspiration, sacrament, conviction, or even intuition.  The Israelites, however, described the reality of God among them in very tangible terms—cloud, fiery pillar, etc. Today’s First Reading (Numbers 11:25-29,) was precipitated by one of the occasions of the people “murmuring” against Moses, criticizing his leadership and the austerity of desert travel.  The receipt of the “Gift of the Spirit,” herein described, was tantamount to Moses’ sharing it with “70 elders,” in order to better manage the people.  Some who received “the Spirit” were thought to be unworthy by others.

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John Naisbitt, in his best-seller, “Megatrends,” cautions against focus on “short term profits,” instead of “long-range plans,” with the admonition that doing so will result in a “steep decline.”   This is, perhaps, the inspiration we can take away from today’s Second Reading (James 5:1-6,) wherein the subject is not economic, but refers to our salvation, instead.  Nonetheless, with an eye to the imminent “end times,” †James encouraged his community to pour their energies into long-range plans—  concern for “eternal realities” (salvation)—thus, replacing worry over short-term “profits,” such as social standing,  material wealth, rich apparel, etc.  To do otherwise would be to entertain a sure and certain demise—damnation (a la Naisbitt’s economic reference to a “steep decline.”)  He understood that it is the preoccupation with riches that tended to make people less aware of others and their needs…and thus, insensitive to the values of the Gospel.  Poverty, conversely, was not good in itself, but seemed to foster reliance on God and a realization of responsibility for other community and society members.

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Illnesses and calamities of every sort were attributed to demons and evil spirits in the ancient world.  There was a literal “catalog” of them, thought to be responsible for various afflictions (Daytime & nighttime ones, those who attacked the head, throat, chest, foot, etc;  “Pazuzu” was thought to cause malaria; “Ashukku,” who brought death; “Lamashtu” was especially to be feared by pregnant women; and “Gallu” was an amorphous monster feared by all, and others….)  During Jesus’ day, lacking medical/mental health sophistication, both Jewish and Gentile healers affected cures by casting out culprit demons, restoring health and wholeness those whom today may have been diagnosed as epileptic, catatonic, deaf, insane, etc.  Our Gospel (Mark 9:38-48,) recounts activities of some charisms of others that were valid and valuable, about which Jesus cautions His disciples to temper their resistance.  He teaches us that those who mindfully offer assistance to others, though they may arise from differing “schools of thought,” should not be shunned, but rather, regarded for the benefit of their intentions.  Of paramount importance is the effectiveness of their services to those in need.  Jesus recognized as genuine the witness and works of all who called upon His name (possibly including not only those non-clerical or lay workers within the community, but even those outside the recognized and orthodox fellowship of the visible Church.)    

Practical Advice for Discipleship

Some people are threatened by the gifts or achievements of others.  If only they had a more open attitude, they would find themselves enriched, rather than diminished by those gifts.  The person who is “different from me,” does not diminish me, but enriches me. (This tenet has applications far beyond our lesson today:  group dynamics are made more productive by inputs from various trains of thought; business decisions resulting from “groupthink” have been proven to be more applicable and rewarding; genetic diversity has been shown to make offspring heartier than purebreds….) God bestows His gifts freely.  Our responsibility is to welcome those gifts from whatever source they appear.

Deeds don’t have to be “substantial,” in order to be of help and comfort to the person on whose behalf they are performed.  They must simply possess a certain quality—warmth.  All deeds, even simple gestures, which come from the heart have this warmth.  Few of us are given to chance to perform “great deeds.”  But the chance to “give a cup of water” can come our way several times in the course of a single day!  Small acts of kindness can “turn winter into summer,” at least briefly, for another person. When we think of the crimes committed against children, today, whether through neglect or abuse, the words of Jesus are especially poignant—“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea,”—words we should take very seriously.  

Occasions of sin are to be ruthlessly routed out, and Jesus’ admonition to ‘pluck out,” or “cut off” an offending body part are meant to be shocking....  They stem from powerful Semitic expressions that put forth, in graphic terms, the necessity of avoiding even the possibility of our behavior becoming a temptation for someone else.    Of course, the Gospel does not suggest physical mutilation.  But there can be no doubt that the avoidance of leading others into sin—those which might alienate them from God and the community—should be worth the most radical self-sacrifice.

May God Richly Bless You!

“Children” (Anonymous)

Jesus warned those who would lead the little ones astray, but He blessed those who care for them. One of the most touching things about children is their openness. But this same openness leaves them extremely vulnerable. They may not say much but they feel everything. They are like crocuses that appear in the open in February—frail, delicate and beautiful— Innocents abroad in an unpredictable climate. If they are embraced by the sun, they will bloom to their full potential. But if they are assailed by hail, they will die a premature death. Love is to a child what sunshine is to a flower….  

 

To view a live stream of today's Holy Mass, click here:  https://youtu.be/6_SMRDWjcsQ

 

With My Song.docx

 

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