The man in the Gospel “ran up” to Jesus, eager to know how to “inherit eternal life.”  How quickly his demeanor changed when Jesus, looking on him with love, challenged him to one thing further: he must sell what he had, give to the poor, and then, follow Jesus (“follow me”). 

Following Jesus demands that we choose not to be possessed by things, but by Jesus himself.  To be possessed by Jesus we must be willing to give up our greatest possession of all – what is that for you?

“Brothers and sisters: Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.  No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.”                          Hebrews 4:12-13

Live into his word!

https://www.flipsnack.com/sjvhouston/liturgy-of-the-word-28th-sunday-ot-b/full-view.html

The main part of next Sunday’s Gospel passage takes the form of a controversy story in which Pharisees, with hostile intent, seek to bring Jesus into conflict with what they regarded as the clear teaching of Scripture.  The Pharisees pose their question to Jesus: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife”?  When Jesus asks them what Moses said on this matter, they refer to the book of Deuteronomy.  Thus, Jesus unveils their hostility, since it becomes obvious that they already knew the “biblical answer” to the question. 

Jesus’ radical teaching on marriage and divorce must be understood in the context of first century Palestine (read John Pilch’s reflection included in the Liturgy of the Word linked below).  The world of Jesus was very much a patriarchal society.  It is important to recognize that in this debate patriarchal family life and structures were taken for granted; there was no/is no concern for what we today call psychological (in)compatibility, and that marriage is not yet being understood in sacramental terms.  Thus, Jesus’ teaching on this subject must be placed in the larger context of his proclamation about God’s kingdom and the radical demands it may make on people.  It is equally important to remember that the Church that follows Jesus’s prophetic mandate must also incorporate his pastoral sensitivity.

It is fitting that a passage about children follows one about marriage since women and children were especially vulnerable in this society.  The scene described stands out for its beauty and simplicity.  In one of the few passages about children in the New Testament, the focus here is on the dependence of children and the fact that they necessarily receive everything as a gift.  It shows Jesus’ positive concern for children.  He takes them seriously as human persons, calls attention to the wisdom they display in regarding everything as a gift, and seals his genuine affection for them with an embrace and a blessing.

For everyone, the kingdom of God is pure gift on God’s part, and it must be received as such.

Receive the gift of his word!

Click here for the Liturgy of the Word:

https://www.flipsnack.com/sjvhouston/liturgy-of-the-word-27th-sunday-ot-yr-b/full-view.html

Adult Formation

We have heard in the recent Sunday Gospel passages that Jesus has turned his attention to his circle of disciples and has presented them with a most direct and concise account of the fate that awaits him in Jerusalem. 

The disciples not only fail to understand the Passion prediction but even fear to pursue the topic.  Then they show the depth of their misunderstanding by arguing about who is the greatest among them (last week’s Gospel) and by trying to restrict the power of Jesus to their own narrow circle (this Sunday’s Gospel).

The disciples’ misunderstanding provides the occasion for Jesus to define true greatness as the humble service of others, to find God in the most apparently insignificant people (the little child), and to remind them that they cannot confine Jesus’ power to their own group.

The episode of the exorcist (“someone driving out demons”) in Sunday’s opening verses is remarkable for the attitude of tolerance it counsels toward those who are outside the circle of Jesus.  It is notable that this advice appears shortly after the account of the disciples’ failure to cast out a demon in 9:14-29.  Read in the context of a gospel written for a small Christian community facing persecution, this instruction would have encouraged a tolerant attitude toward adherents of other religious groups while reinforcing belief in the absolute centrality of the “name of Christ” in the economy of salvation.

Jesus promises a reward to those who show kindness toward his followers and challenges his own disciples to even greater perfection by avoiding whatever is contrary to life in God’s kingdom.

The disciples’ misunderstanding lead us to a greater understanding of both discipleship and Christology.

Follow the lead.

https://www.flipsnack.com/sjvhouston/liturgy-of-the-word-26th-sunday-ordinary-time-yr-b/full-view.html

Adult Formation