October 13, 2014

Oct. 13

October 13, 2014:  Monday, 28th week, Ordinary Time


  • 'Sun' tie:  Praise the Lord from the sun's rising to its setting (psalm)
  • 'Sign' button:  “This evil generation seeks a sign" (gospel) [the sun trumped my "signs tie"]
  • 'Owl' tie pin:  "The queen of the south came to hear Solomon's wisdom." (gospel)
  • 'Whale' tie pin:  "At Jonah's preaching Nineveh repented" (gospel)
  • 'Grapes' pin:  The Lord sets a feast with choice wines, sets the table before me, supplies my needs, invites me to wedding banquet (all four of yesterday's readings)
Listen to psalm music

Pope Francis

 Angelus re Sunday gospel:  The invitation was free, broad, and universal.  None of the chosen ones accept; claiming other plans, showing indifference or annoyance. Despite this rejection, the King doesn't cancel the party but extends his invitation. sending servants to gather all those they find.  The Gospel, rejected by some, is welcome in many others.  God's goodness knows no bounds and doesn't discriminate; everyone has the chance to respond to his invitation.  Open yourself to the peripheries, recognizing that those on the margins and those despised and rejected by society, are the object God's generosity.

 Homily:  The doctors of the law ask Jesus for a sign, and he says they can't see the signs of the times.  They were closed; they'd systematized the law and believed Jesus, who socialized with sinners and tax collectors, threatened their doctrine.  They were trying to be faithful to God but forgot the God of surprises who delivered them from slavery.

 They asked for a sign, not understanding the many he gave or remembering they were on a journey, and when you're on a path, you encounter new things.  A path isn't absolute but rather towards ultimate manifestation of the Lord.  "You seek a sign but no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah," the sign of the Resurrection to which we're journeying.  When Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, they said his sign was blasphemy, so Jesus called them an evil generation.  They didn't understand the law was a pedagogy towards Christ.  If the law doesn't bring us closer to Christ, it's dead.

 Am I attached to my things, my ideas, or open to God's surprises?  Am I still, or on a journey towards maturity, toward manifestation of the Lord?  Can I understand the signs and be faithful to the Lord's voice in them?  Give us a heart that loves God's law and also knows it's not an end in itself and loves God’s surprises.

 Read
  • Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1  Abraham had two sons, one by a slave, the other by a free woman.  The women represent two covenants:  Hagar bore children for slavery, but Jerusalem, our mother, is freeborn.  For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and don't submit to the yoke of slavery.
    Wordle: Readings 10-13-14
  • Ps 113:1b-2-5a, 6-7  "Blessed be the name of the Lord forever."  Servants of the Lord, praise the Lord from the sun's rising to its setting.  He looks on heavens and earth and raises up the lowly and poor.
  • Lk 11:29-32  “This generation is evil; it seeks a sign, but only the sign of Jonah will be given to it:  as Jonah became a sign, so will the Son of Man.  The queen of the south, who came to hear Solomon's wisdom, will condemn this generation; there's something greater than Solomon here.  The Ninevites, who repented at Jonah's preaching, will condemn this generation; there's something greater than Jonah here.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  Who are you and what's expected of you because of it?   Following Christ sets us free to live by God's rules.  Jonah preached repentance to Nineveh but expected them to ignore him and be destroyed, but they repented and were spared.  Parallel to the two sons (28 Sept. gospel), the Israelites said yes but didn’t do what was expected, and the Ninevites said no by their lives but then said yes by repenting.  I can say “yes” but live “no” or change my life and be victorious. 
    • One Bread One Body:  If we take on the yoke of slavery, we're in bad shape. "When you've recognized the Savior and then get caught up in pollution, you're worse off." (cf. 2 Pt 2:20-21).  Stay free:  repent, pray, study Scripture...
    • Passionist:  Jesus' "something greater" beckons us today to be just and love our enemy, and he gives us "something greater" in the Eucharist to help.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Jews demanded "signs" to authenticate prophets' claims, but Jesus was the sign (Lk 2:34-35) and confirmed it with miracles.  The Lord came to set us free from slavery and will transform us if we listen and allow his Spirit to work.
    • Universalis:  St. Edward the Confessor, king, generous to Church and the poor, ready to listen to his subjects.
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