Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time_C - Free to Choose_021122

Deacon Tom Writes, 

Free to Choose

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Jeremiah is teaching the people about simple holiness that leads one to a life of happiness and a sense of security and well-being in the Lord. He uses some vivid images contrasting two opposing ways of life- the holy and the wretched. “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings… (whose) heart turns away from the Lord.”  Why would one turn their back on the all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful Lord of all and follow a stumbling fool walking in the dark? Not a good thing, Jeremiah says, for such a person is “like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season.”

On the other hand, the blessed person “is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream…its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit”. Seems rather a simple choice, doesn’t it? 

Jesus also uses contrasting ways of life in today’s readings from St. Luke’s account of the Beatitudes to teach about a life of holiness and blessedness on the one hand and a life of misery and woes on the other. We learn that blessedness is a state of being; it is an attitude with which we go through life. Being blessed is our state of mind when we realize that we can never be satisfied with the things of this world. Being blessed is not about what we have or don’t have, it is about knowing what constitutes the important things in life and choosing them: good relationships, simple living, humility, a prayerful spirit. 

Our readings today cause us to stop and evaluate our lives by looking to see how we are living them. Are our lives healthy and vibrant because we are rooted in virtuous living? Or are we going through a desert experience and withering away? The difference, I suspect, is what emphasis we place on God in our lives. The more God-centered our life, the more blessed we will be, in our hunger for the things that matter, in our finding comfort in our times of sorrow, in our persevering through our daily trials and struggles. 

Today’s readings would have us consider the quality of our spiritual lives based upon the path that we choose. Are our lives flourishing like a tree planted by a stream, fully alive, deep-rooted, a full canopy providing shade and comfort for those around us or, are we withered up and dying of thirst, rotting from the inside out as we go about our lives. It's our choice! Today we hear Saint Paul make the case that we have much to lose by choosing the wrong path as he reminds us that ...  “If Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain; we are still in our sins…. And if for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.” 

May we know in our hearts the simple truth that God has called us to the fullness of life in this world and in the next. By his grace we will make the right choice. 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

Image Credit: Pinterest.com - Sermon on the Mount.catholicism.org

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time_B - Spiritual Makeover_021421

Deacon Tom Writes,

Spiritual Makeover 

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Although we hear very little of it today, leprosy was a much-dreaded disease throughout history until a treatment was developed in the 1940s. Scholars found the first written account of leprosy on an Egyptian Papyrus written around 1550 B.C. midway through the Israelites bondage there. What was the cure? Banishment! Can you imagine the feelings of utter rejection someone with leprosy would experience no matter what the timeline when they had the disease? The Leper in today’s gospel would no doubt have been seized with fear when he was found to be “unclean”? Unclean! Banishment meant isolation not only from participating in the services at the Synagogue, but also from family, friends. The entire family would suffer as he would no longer be able to provide for them. People with leprosy were banished to the “abode of the dead” for all intents and purposes. And, worst of all, there was no way back. 

We can’t help realize as we read the gospels that Jesus did not recognize any barrier that kept people alienated from God’s abundant love. In fact, throughout Jesus’ ministry, He continued to challenge rules, attitudes, powers and authorities that led to those divisions or imposed obstacles to genuine and authentic spirituality, that is, union with God. Today’s gospel shows Jesus bringing God’s healing power to this forsaken man and making him clean. This intensely liberating act by Jesus allowed the cleanse Leper to reclaim his rightful place in the community. 

Sin is tantamount to “spiritual leprosy”, a sickness that deprives us of God’s graces that are vital to life. Sin diverts our focus away from God. We choose instead to pursue our own selfish and often destructive desires. Let’s face it, we are not very pleasant at times and fall way short of “the glory of God”. We are demanding of others. To get what we want we can often be abusive, manipulative, and conniving. When we don’t get what we want, we can become bitter, resentful, and very ungrateful. We experience too many days when we are not our best selves and those around us know it! If we were honest with ourselves, we would admit that we know it to! We do many things that alienate us from one another, that undermine one of the most basic tenets of our faith, namely, that we are “temples” of the Holy Spirit and that the Spirit of God abides in us. 

Jesus is always looking to wash away our sins in order to strengthen our relationship with Him. The Leper in today’s gospel shows us how to do that when he asks Jesus: 

“If you wish, you can make me clean”. 

And Jesus’ reply, “I do will it. Be made clean”.

If we wish it, Jesus can restore us to health –physical, spiritual or emotional. He can get us back on the road to true happiness and joy, even though we may have messed things up quite a bit. He can, in the words of the 23rd Psalm, “…. Restore my soul…” if, that is, we ask Him, and if we let Him. 

As we prepare for the upcoming Lenten Season, may we look to Jesus to help us overcome our sinful past and to be made clean to enjoy the abundant life we find only through, with, and in Him. 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

Image Credit: Christ cleans leper man http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: