Sunday Reflections

The Gospel text has truly shaped Christian attitudes and is one of the texts that has been the basis for a scheme of thought that played a dominant role in Christian theology and devotion for a long period of time. It could be briefly formulated this way: Israel, by murdering the Son of God, lost its election. Its role as people of God and instrument of salvation history was thrown away.  God chose a new people, namely the Church. This new people have replaced the old.

Some of the parables of Jesus are called 'mirror' parables, because they invite us to look in the mirror and find out what we look like.  This gospel, of the two sons, is just such an opportunity.  We may identify ourselves, and others, with these two brothers and their response (or lack of it) to the father (the Father).  Only one of them did as the father commanded, although his initial response was disappointing.  The other said what the father wanted to hear, but then did nothing.

In response to all that Jesus has said, Peter, in Matthew’s gospel, asks how many times one must forgive a brother…seven times?  Jesus responds to this seemingly generous view on the part of Peter with the words, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Mt 18:22).

Edmund Burke, the great British statesman once said:  “All that is needed for evil to prosper is for good people to remain silent”.   Of the many themes in this Sunday's gospel, the one that most spoke to me is the importance to correct one another.  Sometimes we don't want to get involved, or doubt if our words will make a difference.  Jesus shows us just the opposite, hat we are to reach out to one another to bring each other back to the Lord, and to share in the life of God.  This must be done with love and compassion, not with judgment and condemnation.

Jesus tells us to “take up our cross and follow him”.  In a warehouse of crosses – which one fits us? How do we see the cross? With the promise of pain? Suffering? When it comes to dealing with suffering, do we face it with passive acceptance or do we accept it with a purpose? That question is always before us. By taking up one’s cross and following Christ it does not indicate that we are passively submitting to oppression, discrimination and abuses in their varied forms.

The encounter between the Canaanite woman and Jesus is an unusual one.  First of all, she was an unaccompanied woman, and second she was a pagan.  The culture of their time and place would not permit such an encounter.  Yet, Jesus, as God-made-man, shows the universality of God's love, ministering to the Canaanite woman in her need.  Her faith moves Jesus to a response, to heal her afflicted daughter.  The fundamental characteristic of Resurrectionist Spirituality is the unconditional love of God, reflected in this gospel.

Years ago we were interviewing for a job and a Sister applied.  Fr. Ed wasn’t too sure if she was the best candidate for the job so he suggested that we take her fishing with us.  Unfortunately one of the fishing hooks got caught on a log a good ways from the boat.  The Sister says “I’ll get it” and then proceeds to walk across the water to release the hook from the log.  Fr Ed’s response to witnessing this miracle is “See she can’t even swim!” His focus is elsewhere and he totally misses the point.

Recently I had the opportunity to be in Rome. I visited the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica. The museum contains the incredible painting by Raphael of the Transfiguration. http://www.artbible.info/art/large/613.html. It was reproduced in mosaic within St. Peter’s Basilica. If you look at the painting, you will notice that there are really two scenes depicted. The first scene is the Transfiguration itself, where the transfigured Jesus, accompanied by Moses (The Law) and Elijah (The Prophets) is revealed to the apostles Peter, James, and John.

We have all heard of ‘treasure hunters’ throughout history.  We can easily think of them as ‘out there’.   But, in many ways we are all treasure hunters.  It begins by identifying what is the treasure we seek.  Our gospel this weekend leads us in a reflection on the treasures of the kingdom of God.  These are not for the showcase or the safety deposit box, but are found in our mind, heart and spirit.  This is what motivates us and encourages us to be children of God, followers of Jesus, and people open to the Father’s will.  However, in our human cond