Sunday, August 26, 2012

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ." We Americans cringe at the idea of being subordinate to someone. It offends our notions of freedom. But you cannot be in relationship with another unless you are willing to be subordinate to that other. How do you think the Trinity works? Yes, this is hard to accept. But if it is truth, where else can you go? "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve." You have plenty of gods to choose from. So whom will it be? "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Always.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me." Most of those who heard these words must have believed them to be foolishness, not wisdom. Do we really see them any differently? Sure, we have our Communion rituals, but are we truly partaking of Wisdom's food and drink? Jesus offers us Love incarnate, and we turn it into a magic cookie. Is that wisdom or foolishness?

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

These readings do not mention the subject of our feast today, for it is not found in Scripture. And yet the People of God still believe it is Truth. Why? Because it says something about God that we like: they loved Mary so much, they were willing to suspend the laws of nature to honor her faithfulness. Who wouldn't want a Parent like that? "Blessed are you" indeed, Sister Mary.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven?'" When a mighty prophet speaks, you listen. But what about when it's the kid next door? It looks like God and Truth are rather ordinary after all. Are you disappointed?

Monday, August 6, 2012

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Where are such signs of glory and majesty today? If they appeared, would you believe? I say that such belief is the faith of fools. Perhaps it was good enough at one time, but God desires much more of us. They do still provide signs, however. Just look upon the vast universe before us. Talk about glory and majesty! Such signs are far grander than any supernatural parlor trick can every be. And yet we seem to prefer the magic to the truth. Wake up! Whoever has eyes, see!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." Is Jesus just some supernatural version of quail and manna? Believe in him and he will give you an unlimited supply? That sort of exchange is still about seeking "food that perishes." If we want "the food that endures for eternal life," we need to dig a bit deeper. Perhaps he is saying to us: believe in me and in the love that sent me, and hunger, thirst, even existence itself will melt away to reveal something else far grander that endures forever.