October 8, 2015

Oct. 8

October 8, 2015:  Thursday, 27th week, Ordinary Time



  • Purple shirt:  You said, “What do we profit by keeping his command, and going about in penitential dress...?" (1st reading)
  • 'Money' tie:  "Evildoers prosper" (1st reading)
  • Orange suspenders:  The day is coming, blazing like an oven,... (1st reading)
  • 'Tree' pin:  You who meditate on God's law are like a fruitful tree near water...  (psalm)
  • 'Key' tie pin:  "Don't bother me; the door is locked" (gospel)
  • 'Snake,' 'fish' tie pins:  What father would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? (gospel)
  • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  The Father will give the Spirit to those who ask (gospel)
In the 1st reading the Lord rebukes the people:  “You've said, ‘It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command?  Evildoers prosper....’”  How many times do we see evildoers seem to do well:  happy and wanting for nothing.  Why, Lord,  does this evildoer have what he wants, while we, who want to do good, have problems?  The psalm proclaims, “Blessed those who don't walk in the way of sinners but delight in the law of the Lord.”  We don't see the fruits of this suffering people, as on Good Friday and Holy Saturday the fruits of the Son's suffering and death were yet to be seen.
The parable of Lazarus stresses the ruin of the wicked:  misery with no escape.  It's curious that the rich man’s name isn't spoken; just an adjective is used (πλούσιος).  God's record book just has adjectives, not names, for the wicked, but those who try to go on God's way will be with his Son, who has the name Jesus, Savior, a name difficult to understand, inexplicable for the trial of the Cross and for all he suffered for us.
Read

  • Mal 3:13-20b  You have defied me, saying, “What good is it to keep God's command?  Evildoers prosper....”  The Lord listened attentively.  Those who fear and trust me shall be mine, says the Lord.  I'll have compassion on them.  You'll see the distinction between just and wicked.  The proud and evildoers will be stubble, but for you who fear me, the sun of justice will arise.

  • Ps 1:1-4, 6  "Blessed are they who hope in the Lord."  They're like trees yielding fruit in due season, but the wicked are like chaff the wind drives away.  The Lord watches over the just....

  • Lk 11:5-13  “If your friend goes to you at midnight and says, ‘lend me three loaves of bread,’ and you reply,  ‘Don't bother me; the door is locked and we're in bed,’ even if you don't give him the loaves because of your friendship, you will because of his persistence.  Ask and you'll receive; seek and you'll find; knock and the door will be opened.  What father would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish, or a scorpion when he asks for an egg?  If you know how to give your children good gifts, how much more will the Father give the Spirit to those who ask?”
Reflect
      (and spelling help :-)
      Seen on Wilshire at Vermont, near work
    • Creighton:  Many people ask God “what good is it to keep your command?”  Today’s readings are about how God loves and welcomes us.  God doesn’t give to askers based on their worthiness but rather on their persistence.  It takes faith to be persistent, but persistence is more about learning to live justly than getting what you want.  The persistent don’t lose faith when they don’t get what they want or when evil prospers; they're satisfied, so it seems like everything they do prospers.  It's tempting for those who feel loved and blessed to think they're more deserving, but there's no room for judgment against others.  Being able to see all as gift is itself a gift.  The door to God’s blessings is open to all.  May we live in a way that others see God’s love at work in blessings available to all.
    • One Bread One Body:  "The Holy Spirit is the best gift":  The Spirit opens us to understand the Bible, convicts us of our sin, fights against our flesh, leads us to holiness and truth, brings unity, overcomes sin and fear, leads us to pray, praise, and worship God, and gives other life-changing gifts.  "Receive the Holy Spirit."
    • Passionist:  Today’s Gospel urges us to ask the Father for our needs, but we must remember and accept that God's plan may not be our plan and respond, “Thy will be done....”
    • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus used the illustration of a late-night traveler to teach his listeners how God treats us in contrast to what we might expect from neighbors. The rule of hospitality required entertaining unexpected guests.  Asking for bread from your neighbor was a common occurrence and an expected favor; to refuse to give it would bring shame.  If a neighbor can be imposed upon to give bread, how much more hospitable is God, who in all circumstances is generous and ready to give what we need.  "God, who does not sleep and who awakens us from sleep that we may ask, gives much more graciously" (St. Augustine).  The Lord is ready to give us what we need, and more than we can expect....
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