August 8
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 12:32-48
The lectionary skips Jesus’ warning not to worry about earthly needs and consider how God cares for the birds and the flowers. It picks up with his exhortation to the disciples to sell all they have and give the proceeds to the poor because the heart, the seat of human longing, must have a proper attraction: a heavenly treasure.
Luke then changes the topic from concerns about earthly goods to advice about watchfulness and fidelity. These are not unrelated to the real meaning of life. Detachment from earthly goods frees one to be faithful and ready for the treasure of happiness with God forever. This section falls into three parts. The first describes the watchful servant of an absent master. The second is about a watchful master. And the third is about the servant of an absent manager. The main message is that God is a faithful master, whether he is very much present in our life or distant. We are to trust in him and not in ourselves or in wealth. And we are to serve others in love. We have been entrusted with much, and much is expected of us.
August 15
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Luke 1:39-56
The Eastern Church celebrates the Dormition of Mary. Her death is seen as a gentle falling asleep. Three days later she is taken to heaven to be with her son. Our feast, the Assumption, emphasizes her return to heaven. Both feasts are celebrated on August 15. Both feasts reinforce the truth that Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension teaches us. Not only the Son of God but also a human being like us is resurrected and taken to be with Jesus. This will happen for the rest of us in the resurrection of the dead, which will occur at the Parousia, the end of time.
The gospel story itself is Mary’s visit to Elizabeth after the angel Gabriel told her that Elizabeth was pregnant. It concludes with Mary’s canticle of praise, the Magnificat. Elizabeth praises Mary as blest among women because she is the mother of the Lord and because of her faith in believing what the Lord has promised. Mary’s response is most likely a Jewish Christian canticle that Luke has reworked to make it more specific to Mary and the Incarnation, without specifically referring to either. It closely resembles Hanna’s canticle of praise in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 when she is told she is to be the mother of Samuel. Mary recognizes that the salvation that will come through the birth, life and mission of Jesus is related to God’s original promise to Abraham and the other patriarchs. This section of Luke’s Gospel follows the opening section with the annunciations of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. It is followed by the account of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
August 22
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 13:22-30
This passage begins with a reminder that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. In this passage he will remind his followers that it is difficult being a disciple. Yet the mention of Jerusalem reminds us of his own coming suffering and death. He is asked if only a few people will be saved, but he doesn’t answer the question. Instead he describes a narrow gate that won’t limit the number who enter but that must be done by individual choice and strength of will. The narrow gate then becomes a closed door as he tells a parable meant to emphasize the difficulties faced in being a real disciple. It is not enough to know Jesus, to have eaten and drunk with him. It takes strength and determination. He concludes with a description of the banquet that goes on beyond that door. And he answers the question. Many will come to feast at that banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But it does not depend on who is first. This may not seem fair, but salvation is not automatic. It comes to those who have the strength to work for it.
August 29
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Jesus has just spoken his lament over Jerusalem and its coming demise. He stops his journey there to eat a Sabbath meal in the house of a Pharisee. He uses this meal, after a brief healing, to offer advice about good conduct at meals.
Jesus notices people picking places of honor to recline at table. He warns them that this is not a wise thing to do because if a really important person arrives they could be asked in front of all the guests to move to a less distinguished spot. This would be embarrassing. But if they take a lowly spot they could be asked, again in front of all the guests, to move to a place of honor. Jesus then addresses the host. He suggests that instead of inviting the important and the rich to their feast it might be better to invites the poor and the infirm. Unlike the rich they won’t be able to repay you and you will get true repayment at the resurrection of the righteous. Instead of earthly praise you will receive something much more important. It is always better to please God and not to worry about earthly honors. God will be grateful and other people might notice the good things you do.
September 5, 2010
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 14:25-33
The theme of the challenges and demands of discipleship continue in today’s reading. Jesus is really not telling us to hate our father and mother. He is using a strong statement to emphasize that nothing can come before the demands of discipleship. After all we are even suppose to love our enemies (Luke 6:27-36). Look at everyday situations. Someone who builds a tower plans it all out first to be sure he can complete the task A king going into battle calculates whether he has a chance for success and if he decides he doesn’t have a clear chance for victory he makes plans for a peace treaty. If we understand the need to prepare for these tasks how much more important are the demands of being a disciple of Jesus.
The passage ends with another strong saying about the need to renounce all possessions in order to be a disciple. This too is not to be taken literally. But it makes an important point about the demands of discipleship. Certainly an over-reliance on material goods is not healthy in many ways. But when it comes to discipleship what we possess should serve the demands of discipleship and not the other way around. When we accept the demands of discipleship and become true disciples we will know how to use our possessions well.