Sep-29 Liturgical Study Twenty-sixth Sunday

 

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary time 

Opening prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O Lord, our rock and redeemer, you have the words of eternal life. Grant us the wisdom to meditate on your words and take them to heart, so that your light may always guide our thoughts, words and actions. Open our eyes to see clearly your wonderful truths, and fill us with the Spirit of understanding, so that day and night we may rejoice as we ponder your sacred mysteries, for the praise and glory of your name. Amen. Mother Mary, full of grace, pray for us. Saint Joseph, faithful guardian of Our Lord Jesus, watch over us. Saint Jerome, Lover of Sacred Scripture, pray for us. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today we are on page 132 - 26th Sunday in ordinary times.

Let us pause for a moment to pray for those who cannot be with us today. Jean, Mary Jane and others who are in Greece and Turkey on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Paul. Maryanne and Regina are also away for the next few weeks. Mel and Mary both of whom have doctor's appointments today and Suzanne who is recovering from Covid and asked for our prayers. Let's say a Hail Mary for them ....

Numbers 11:25-29

‘In the wilderness’ is the Hebrew title for the 'Book of Numbers' and chronicles the cycle of murmuring; punishment/judgment; cry (of repentance); intercession and deliverance.

The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament and covers the journey of the Israelites as they wander in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. 

The fourth part, from where we get our reading today, deals with Leadership and Guidance: The book highlights Moses’ leadership, the challenges he faces, and God’s guidance, including establishing laws and regulations for worship and community life.

Moses is caught in a triangle between God and Israel and finds the responsibility overbearing. In verses 16-17, God instructs him to assemble 70 elders who then receive the Holy Spirit and help Moses in his mission to prophesy and lead the Israelites to the Promised Land of Canaan. 

But two of them were not in the tent yet were preaching to the dismay of Joshua, who was selected as successor of Moses; who complained to Moses asking that Moses censure the two. But Moses enlightened by the Holy Spirit knows better.

We too should seek the gift of the Holy Spirit by whose grace we will become true disciples of Christ, rising above human weaknesses to fulfil the purpose God intended. 

Psalm 19

C.S. Lewis called Psalm 19 “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.”. The psalm’s genius is bringing together what many theologians and poets have been unable to connect: creation and law (nature and God's word) complement each other
Part I (verses 1-6) Creation’s Speech — praise for God; teaches that there is a God.
Part II (verses 7-10) Torah’s Speech — instruction of humanity; teaches us who God is and what God wills
Part III (verses 11-14) Servant’s Speech — prayer to God asking for forgiveness (Sacrament of confession)

James 5:1-6

The true identity of the author of the Letters of St James has been debated by scholars. Many believe that Saint James of Jerusalem who served as the first bishop of Jerusalem and died a martyr - was the author of the Letters of James. The Letters were written a short time before his martyrdom, about twenty-eight years after our Lord's Ascension.

He was known by many epithets: James the Just, James the Righteous, James Adelphotheos (brother of God), and the Brother of Our Lord. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark list James among the brothers of Jesus. Church tradition has differed on what exactly is meant by ‘brother of Jesus’ - was it a biological brother or a cousin? Not that it really matters.

St Paul calls St James one of the three pillars of the Church in Jerusalem, along with Peter and John.  St Paul also tells us that Jesus appeared especially to James after the Resurrection.

James is also mentioned several times in the Acts of the Apostles. Here, he plays a vital role in presiding over the first Church Council, the Council of Jerusalem. In Acts 15 we are told that the Apostles all gathered at the Council of Jerusalem to decide on the divisive issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity must observe Mosaic Law and be circumcised before baptism to be saved. James stood up and fervently argued that Jesus the Redeemer made Mosiac law unnecessary.

Written predominantly to Jewish Christians, James admonishes them to persevere in the face of temptations and to grow into a mature faith by living what they claim to believe. James insists that faith is evidenced in a transformed life.

When St James talks about the miseries, he speaks of the very prophecies of our Lord regarding the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and the ensuing famine, pestilence, and the harm brought by the uprising of the Zealots. These fell heaviest on the Jews in Judea. But they extended also to the Jews in the provinces, who were living an unholy life
James points out three things getting in the way of trusting fully in God's character and work. 
1) Born out of jealousy and fear is the temptation to put down or judge our brothers and sisters.
2) To make our own worldly plans, without having God lead
3) To put our trust in our wealth as a means to secure our future. Ill-gotten wealth is bad. The injustice done to fellow human beings will be exposed. The downfall comes from their refusal to be a channel of blessing but rather only to bless yourself; for this is exactly what killed the righteous One, Jesus

References

1. For all the Saints: Saint James of Jerusalem, Bishop and Martyr, Brother of our Lord. (2019, October 22). St. John’s Anglican Church. Retrieved September 24, 2024, from https://www.stjohnscanton.org/for-all-the-saints-saint-james-of-jerusalem-bishop-and-martyr-brother-of-our-lord/
2. Catholic Software’s Douay Bible Program. (n.d.). Catholic Epistle of St. James The Apostle. EWTN Global Catholic Television Network. Retrieved September 24, 2024, from https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/catholic-epistle-of-st-james-the-apostle-12348

Mark 9:38-48

Even among the Apostles, there was bickering about who was a true follower of Christ. From these seeds of doubt planted by the devil, the early Church faced disagreements about theology and evangelical strategy. Sadly even today there is widespread ignorance, distrust, or wariness between different groups of Christians. we seem to forget that we all are made in the image of our Creator and that there was one Jesus Christ who suffered and died to redeem all of mankind - he is the true vine and we are all the branches; separated from the vine the branches will wither and die. We have far more in common that what separates us. It saddens me terribly when I am on my visits to El Camino Hospital distributing communion and patients, including religious people, ask me, 'Are you Catholic?". Shouldn't they be welcoming to the body and blood in the Blessed Sacrament?

Gehenna (Mark 9:43, 45, 47) was known as the Valley of Hinnom, a ravine south of Jerusalem notorious for pagan infanticide (2 Chronicles 28:1–14). In Jewish texts, Gehenna is depicted as a place where souls undergo purification before entering the next world, rather than an eternal hell. In Christian contexts, it evolved into a symbol of eternal damnation, often linked to the idea of hellfire.

Jesus has a special place for children and the powerless in his teaching. Likewise, three of the most precious members of the human body come into focus for severe judgment: hand, foot, and eye - all 3 can lead us to sin.

Reference

1. Berge, P. (2020, November 11). Commentary on Mark 9:38-50. Working Preacher From Luther Seminary. Retrieved September 24, 2024, from https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-26-2/commentary-on-mark-938-50-2

Action item for the week

1. Practise of Faith asks us to go to confession. St Padre Pio was a constant confessor often hearing confessions for 10 to 12 hours each day... he said that everyone should go to confession more often, at least once a week. It's like a room that needs to be dusted every so often, he said. our souls too collect sins that separate us from God so we need to go to confession.

2. In keeping with the 2nd reading, find ways to donate of your excess

3. Allow God to work through us and be open to God working in and through unlikely people and places.

After the reading share this ....

Some time ago, on my rounds at El Camino Hospital, the nurse warned me that one particular patient was particularly disturbed, almost violent. I thanked her for the warning and proceeded with my visit. To my surprise, the patient was very happy to see me and asked me to say a prayer and give Holy Communion. After this the patient was clearly at peace and asked me if I had a rosary to share. I was happy to oblige but wasn't prepared for what happened next. The patient volunteered that while in the hospital the pet dog went missing; this was very disturbing given that the patient couldn't do anything about it. Being a person of faith the prayer and rosary restored a sense of purpose and peace. The patient then asked me my name and I said, Joseph (I usually use my middle name which is easier to remember than both my first and last name). The patient then told me, that just before getting admitted to the hospital, knowing no one would look after the home and pet was terribly upsetting. When suddenly an Angel appeared to come and introduced himself as Joseph, a messenger from God, telling her not to worry and that God would take care of everything. Suddenly a peaceful calm over the patient, who accepted the message from God like a child and in turn found peace, the kind the world cannot give. The patient specifically asked me to tell others this story so you can believe

Closing prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the opportunity to study Your Word together. As we close this session, we ask for Your help in living out the principles we have learned. Give us the strength and courage to apply Your Word in our daily lives. Help us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.