Thursday, XIX Week of Ordinary Time
(Joshua 3 and Matthew 18)
Thanks to Cecil B. De Mille most people know how the Bible depicts the Red Sea splitting in two so that the Israelites might escape the Egyptian charioteers. Few, however, are perhaps aware of the Jordan River parting so the God’s Chosen Ones might enter the Promised Land. The first reading today from the Book of Joshua tells this second story. The responsorial psalm also refers to it. This same psalm is part of the Liturgy of the Hours for Easter Sunday evening which helps us understand the meaning of the event in the Church’s eyes.
The Church reads the Old Testament as foretelling the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Theologians call such a reading typology. The story of the Ark of the Covenant leading the Israelites through the Jordan, for example, is a type for Christ’s bringing his followers into Paradise. Jesus is for us the Holy of Holies whose death and resurrection make it possible for us to transverse the otherwise impassible gulf between earth and heaven.
If Jesus facilitates the crossing, then what must we do? Our role in our own salvation is both nothing and everything. All that is required is that we believe in Jesus by imitating his ways. The gospel demonstrates the paradox of this challenge. You would think it would be nothing for the servant whose master has just written off his large debt to forgive the small debt of a fellow servant. But no, the servant – no doubt thinking “this is a different case” – punishes his counterpart. Likewise, just as Christ has opened the way to our salvation, so we should willingly assist others through.
Homilette for August 15, 2007
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(I Corinthians 15 and Luke 1)
Fr. Raymond E. Brown, a biblical scholar, was very concerned about ecumenical relations. He often reassured Protestants that what the Catholic Church claims about Mary is usually what it claims about all Christians although she was especially privileged. For example, the Church’s doctrine that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven is essentially no different from what all faithful Christians will experience at the end of time. The reading from First Corinthians hints at this. Christ was raised as the first fruits of God’s redemption. The “proper order” that St. Paul mentions would have Mary, the mother of Christ, being raised after him but before other women and men.
Our bodies’ destiny of glory gives added reason for us to treat them well. St. Paul in the same letter to the Corinthians presents the primary reason. They are temples of the Holy Spirit that must not be profaned by lewd conduct. We should supplement the prescription for proper body treatment with the avoidance of excessive food and drink. While we’re at it, we might also seriously say that our bodies require exercise, rest, and a balanced diet.
We have heard the recent report of how having overweight friends sends one a message that it is all right to pile on the pounds. Of course, the resolution of this problem is not to cut ties with fat people but to model for one another healthy eating habits. One more thing: if we do tend to emulate our friends, we might make friends with the saints, especially Mary. Just following her in today’s gospel is an inspiration. She quickly goes to visit her relative Elizabeth when she hears of her unexpected pregnancy. She praises God for all the good that happens to her. And she announces the good news of salvation. Could anyone imagine a better person to have as a friend?
(I Corinthians 15 and Luke 1)
Fr. Raymond E. Brown, a biblical scholar, was very concerned about ecumenical relations. He often reassured Protestants that what the Catholic Church claims about Mary is usually what it claims about all Christians although she was especially privileged. For example, the Church’s doctrine that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven is essentially no different from what all faithful Christians will experience at the end of time. The reading from First Corinthians hints at this. Christ was raised as the first fruits of God’s redemption. The “proper order” that St. Paul mentions would have Mary, the mother of Christ, being raised after him but before other women and men.
Our bodies’ destiny of glory gives added reason for us to treat them well. St. Paul in the same letter to the Corinthians presents the primary reason. They are temples of the Holy Spirit that must not be profaned by lewd conduct. We should supplement the prescription for proper body treatment with the avoidance of excessive food and drink. While we’re at it, we might also seriously say that our bodies require exercise, rest, and a balanced diet.
We have heard the recent report of how having overweight friends sends one a message that it is all right to pile on the pounds. Of course, the resolution of this problem is not to cut ties with fat people but to model for one another healthy eating habits. One more thing: if we do tend to emulate our friends, we might make friends with the saints, especially Mary. Just following her in today’s gospel is an inspiration. She quickly goes to visit her relative Elizabeth when she hears of her unexpected pregnancy. She praises God for all the good that happens to her. And she announces the good news of salvation. Could anyone imagine a better person to have as a friend?
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