Don't Put Off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time–Year C

My Sisters and Brothers:   

     The adage “don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today” is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, one of the greatest “Fathers of our Country.” Even so, the advice contained in this wise saying has probably been on the lips of the sages throughout the centuries. I believe the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel, “no one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God,” echo this same sentiment (see Luke 9:62).

     From a Christian perspective, we are taught by these words that when our God calls us, we must respond immediately and with enthusiasm. And oh how difficult this is to do at times! We may be like those in the second part of today’s Gospel who claimed they wanted to follow Jesus, but then came up with this or that excuse to avoid the prompt demands discipleship placed upon them. In response, Jesus said those who “looked back” would never be able to keep their eyes focused ahead, and on the faith-based tasks set before them. Of course, the same may be true for us today.

     With this in mind, and if you are anything like me, then you know all too well the temptation to procrastinate when faced with the things in life that must be done on a daily basis. You would probably agree with me and understand it’s nearly impossible to stay focused and on top of these things if we “put off until tomorrow what we need to do today.” Spiritual procrastination is even worse because it suppresses our abilities to let go of past sins, to forgive others, to respond faithfully to the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to put our faith into practice on a daily basis, especially in the way that we relate to other people. Quite to the contrary, Jesus demands that his followers never procrastinate with the obligations their faith places upon them.
 
     In the first part of today’s Gospel, when the Apostles James and John suggested “calling fire from heaven” in order to punish the inhospitable Samaritans, Jesus “rebuked them” because they wanted to act with vengeance, and in a way based on former ways of doing things. Calling “fire from heaven” would literally have been a way of “looking to what was left behind.” Such thinking had been encouraged by teachings from the Old Testament, and in fact was not an uncommon “wisdom” promoted by many other faith systems of the day (for example, see Leviticus 24:19–21).

     Even in modern times we can find too many examples of such ways of thinking promoted by both secular laws and religious systems of belief. Unfortunately, this is remarkably true even among some individuals, communities and churches who claim to follow Jesus. Although James and John apparently they hadn’t yet fully grasped the full meaning of the teachings of Jesus, today we have no excuses to hold on to former pre-Christian ways of thinking and acting. 

     Jesus spoke of love, forgiveness, and mercy. When our God calls us to the Christian way of life, and to every tenet of the New Covenant, we must answer immediately and completely! As followers of Jesus let us not procrastinate with the obligations of our faith, and may we never “put off until tomorrow what we can do today,” especially in the way we treat our fellow human beings (and that includes all of them!). May each one of us therefore be “fit for the kingdom of God.” 

Praise God!  Friar Timothy

 

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The Marginalized, and a Warning about "Religious People," the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time–Year C

My Sisters and Brothers: 
 
     We need only to read the front page of today’s newspaper to know there are many “marginalized” people in our world who have become victims of abuse, exploitation, discrimination, ostracization, hatred, greed, oppression, famine, violence, murder, terrorism, war, and countless other types of offenses committed against humanity. Too often, the pains and anguishes experienced by such victims are simply ignored and/or tolerated through the indifference of others who fail to advocate or to act on their behalf. And isn’t it true such atrocities are often committed by “powerful” individuals, groups of people, corporations and/or governments.

     It’s sad to say, but we know there are even some formal faith communities, and so-called “spiritual people” within them, who bear responsibility for such things. And lamentably, we don’t have to look too far within our own Roman Catholic Church to find examples of the misuse of power, the victimization of people, the “shunning” of particular individuals or groups, and indifference about it on the part of others.

     Unfortunately, this is really nothing new – even when Jesus traveled and preached in Galilee, Samaria, and Judea, he warned his followers about those “religious people” who perverted their power, and who so easily and self-righteously condemned, oppressed, and victimized others. Today’s Gospel reference to “the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes” calls this to mind (see Luke 9:22). Might we admit that in our own time, and possibly even within our own faith communities, there are similar and so-called “spiritual people” who simply and likewise abuse their power as well? And is it possible that we might enable such behavior because of our own fear of them, or because of our indifference, or because of our failure to advocate for those who are their victims?

     With all of this in mind, the message of our Gospel today gets right to the point. Jesus told his disciples that if they desired to be faithful to him that they would have to suffer. He knew that he (and they) would have “to suffer greatly, be rejected . . . and be killed” by the very “religious people” of that time who should have known better (see again verse 9:22).

     Jesus knew that serving the “marginalized” and those most in need, and preaching the Good News about God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness, certainly would come at a great price! And so I believe in order to champion the humanity, the dignity and the rights of those who were otherwise “marginalized,” and perhaps “victimized” as well, Jesus actually dared to advocate on their behalf, and even more, to become one of them. For this, and at the hands of the “powerful,” and even those who claimed to be “religious,” he ultimately became a victim too, as he suffered, was crucified, and died. But even so, and as our faith tells us, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (see 1 Corinthians 1:18). 

     My friends, following the example of Jesus, let us dare to treat all people with complete reverence and respect, especially those who are “different” and those who are the most “marginalized!” In doing so, may we embrace whatever sacrifices and sufferings we must endure, as we boldly and with great confidence proclaim the Good News of our faith!

 Praise God!  Friar Timothy

 

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"Forgiveness" is More About Those Who Do the Forgiving, the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time–Year C

My Sisters and Brothers:   

     Every day, Christians pray to God, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Today’s Scriptures speak to us about that forgiveness, and about the grateful and loving hearts we are called to have as those who have experienced God’s mercy. These Scriptures also have something to teach us about how we, as sons and daughters of a loving God, therefore ought to forgive those who have sinned against us.

     In the first reading, King David repented from his very grievous sins and was then offered forgiveness from God (see 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13). In today’s Gospel, Jesus showed tremendous mercy toward the “sinful woman” who had been criticized by the Pharisee because she was “a woman of ill repute” (see Luke 7:36—8:3). Without regard to the “rule of law,” God was very merciful to King David and to the sinful woman, and they both responded with loving hearts, and with renewed lives dedicated to God’s will. Might we then also be forgiving as our heavenly Father is forgiving? 

     In my own life, and probably like most people, I’ve known pain and disappointment when others have committed sins and/or injustices against me. After such experiences, it may be a common temptation to hold on to anger, resentment, and bitterness against those who have caused such harm. It might even seem easier, or downright satisfying, to be unforgiving! Indeed, it seems to me that we live in a time when “forgiveness” can be very selective, even on the part of people who call themselves Christians.

     The “wisdom of the world” (maybe that “rule of law”) dictates that some sins and misdeeds can be easily forgiven, while others are eternally unforgivable. In some cases, the guilty must carry their punishments forever, and the victims are likewise justified to hold them to such, and with contempt, in perpetuity. Although I am a Christian, I wouldn’t suggest that those who have committed sins and/or injustices not be held “accountable,” nor do I believe that “justice” should not indeed prevail, but our faith does clearly challenge us to “forgive those who trespass against us.” So how do we forgive others, and how do we let go of those negative feelings and emotions that tempt us to be unforgiving?   

     Isn’t it true that “forgiveness” is more about those who forgive than those who are “forgiven?” Isn’t it true that when we forgive others, what we really do is let go of any type of negative control they may have over our emotions and over our lives? Isn’t it true that when we forgive others, we no longer allow them to have power over us in any kind of way?

     So may we generously forgive others, especially those who have seriously wronged us. After all, God surely will be their judge, and from an eternal perspective, divine justice will truly prevail! And I heartily believe it’s also possible those we have forgiven may in fact completely turn away from their sins, and they may truly express sorrow and remorse to us. In the best of cases, we may be completely reconciled and find peace with those we have forgiven!
 
     And so my sisters and brothers, just as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, let us forgive others as our heavenly Father has forgiven us! If we can do so, then I believe we will be able to experience emotional freedom, and hearts full of gratitude and love. Let us encourage each other with this Christian message of forgiveness!
   
Praise God!  Friar Timothy

 

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The Widow of Nain, the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time–Year C

My Sisters and Brothers:

     It’s not surprising the woman featured in today’s Gospel was also from Nain, an out of the way and completely unimportant small town in the middle of nowhere.  Such details found in the Scriptures are never insignificant.  The woman was also a widow, and to make matters even much worse, she had just lost her only son.  These details too are of great significance. 

     Of course, in those days and in that place there was nothing like Medicare, Social Security, or other types of government programs designed to help such needy or elderly people.  Without a husband or a son to provide for her needs, the widow of Nain was likely destined to a life of extreme poverty and struggle; she would have been completely dependent on the charity of others in order even to survive.  Her situation at the moment Jesus encountered her, as she was on the way to the cemetery to bury her only son, was not only heartbreaking, it was quite dire to say the least.  Jesus was compelled by his compassionate heart to do something to change the probable fate of that poor widow. 

     There are many Gospel accounts in which we find it was for those who were most needy, often people who were in desperate situations, that Jesus seems to have had the most compassion and care.  Today’s Gospel tells us that “when the Lord saw the widow of Nain, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” (see Luke 7:13).  The Gospel goes on to tell us Jesus commanded her son to “arise” and he then sat up and began to speak (see verses 14 and 15). Not only did Jesus bring the young man back to life in order to quell the sadness of his mother at that moment, but also in order to spare her from a life of poverty and desolation. 

     In this case, the compassion of Jesus not only pointed to a future resurrection to new life promised for all, but it also underscored his determination to improve the lives of those who struggled and suffered within this life also! And I believe we are all called to do the same: our compassion for others will give testimony to the great and eternal love the Father in heaven has for each one of us, but it should also motivate and require us both to serve the needy in the here and now, and to work to change those things that keep them locked in situations of poverty and despair.  For me, this is clearly one of the lessons of today’s Gospel, and it underscores our common Christian call to put our faith into action by the way we serve and champion the progress of others, especially those most in need.

     Just as Jesus didn’t hesitate to come compassionately to the aid of the widow of Nain, so too must we serve the poor, the marginalized and those who are in any way needy.  Let us encourage one another with the message of our faith, and putting that faith into action, may we always faithfully share the compassion of Jesus with others! 
  
Praise God!  Friar Timothy

 

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