God gave the Law to His people of Israel through Moses. While it laid out regulations for how the people are to live, its ultimate purpose is in what the Psalm, James, and Jesus in the Gospel reading speak of: It's about living rightly before God.
We let the Word of God transform our hearts so we are righteous inwardly, and outwardly, too, as we live out the Word and do as the Law commands: most importantly, to care for those in need.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Sunday, August 23, 2015
August 23, 2015: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Over the past few weeks in the Gospel readings, Jesus has declared Himself the means of Life Eternal, as the Bread of Life. These statements pose a choice for His disciples, whether or not they will abide in His way. Some leave, but the Twelve are committed, knowing Jesus is of God, and has the only way to have any meaning in Life.
In the first reading, Joshua presents a choice to the people of Israel, whom they will serve. Recognizing what God has done for them, they choose "Yes", too, just as Joshua has firmly stated his commitment.
We are given that choice time after time to commit ourselves to being obedient and suborinate to Christ who has sacrificed Himself to sanctify His Church.
This call to commit myself to God was posed to me when I heard these readings proclaimed 6 years ago this day, at the first Mass I attended as a college student at St. Teresa's, when I was at the threshold of a new stage in life. So today, God calls me to renew this commitment through these readings.
And so God calls Archbishop Cupich to commit himself as His servant with the investiture of the pallium upon him this day.
In committing to serve God, may we together encounter the great joy of the Spirit.
In the first reading, Joshua presents a choice to the people of Israel, whom they will serve. Recognizing what God has done for them, they choose "Yes", too, just as Joshua has firmly stated his commitment.
We are given that choice time after time to commit ourselves to being obedient and suborinate to Christ who has sacrificed Himself to sanctify His Church.
This call to commit myself to God was posed to me when I heard these readings proclaimed 6 years ago this day, at the first Mass I attended as a college student at St. Teresa's, when I was at the threshold of a new stage in life. So today, God calls me to renew this commitment through these readings.
And so God calls Archbishop Cupich to commit himself as His servant with the investiture of the pallium upon him this day.
In committing to serve God, may we together encounter the great joy of the Spirit.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
August 16, 2015: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
God gives us new Life by giving us His very self. Jesus calls us to partake of Him, for He is truly food and drink that leads to Life Everlasting. The readings speak of the wisdom of God, which is like a bountiful banquet that summons us to forsake foolish ways and live differently: Jesus is the Wisdom of God, who offers a bountiful banquet. By partaking of Him, we receive a share in His Life, which directs us in living righteously in this earthly life as we journey toward Eternal Life with Him.
Monday, August 10, 2015
August 9, 2015: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread from Heaven, giving Life to the world. Only by partaking of Him, the Bread, can we live forever, because He is the sacrificial offering by which we are cleansed in God's sight, like St. Paul writes in the 2nd reading. So cleansed, our call is to live righteously before Him all our days, strengthened by the food that is He as we journey toward Eternal Life.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
August 2, 2015: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Scripture readings speak of the Bread that God gives us from Heaven. As miraculous as the manna was that God provided day by day for the Israelites during their desert journeying, it ultimately speaks to the great reality that God provides for us: He created us in love, and continues to sustain us day in and day out.
While it might not seem impressive, as Father Hurlbert alluded to when he showed an unconsecrated host wafer in his homily, speaking of it as "bread", it is the sign that God satisfies us, both physically and spiritually.
And now this satisfaction is found in Jesus Christ, who feeds us with His very self, the Bread from Heaven giving Life to us. It is Life that calls us to leave the old ways and embrace the new self we have in Christ, who gives of Himself so that we might have life. (As an aside, I am reminded of the words a song at the Theology on Tap Finale Mass I attended three years ago, at which these same readings were proclaimed, a Mass celebrated by Cardinal George.)
While it might not seem impressive, as Father Hurlbert alluded to when he showed an unconsecrated host wafer in his homily, speaking of it as "bread", it is the sign that God satisfies us, both physically and spiritually.
And now this satisfaction is found in Jesus Christ, who feeds us with His very self, the Bread from Heaven giving Life to us. It is Life that calls us to leave the old ways and embrace the new self we have in Christ, who gives of Himself so that we might have life. (As an aside, I am reminded of the words a song at the Theology on Tap Finale Mass I attended three years ago, at which these same readings were proclaimed, a Mass celebrated by Cardinal George.)
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