"Replaced As Stewards of the Keys"–the Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time–Year A

My Sisters and Brothers:

In today’s Gospel (see Matthew 16:13-20), Jesus asked his disciples the following questions: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and “Who do you say I am?”  After reporting who others thought he might be (i.e., “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets”), Simon Peter, speaking for all of the Apostles, answered the second question by emphatically stating: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Because of this profession of faith, Jesus told Peter “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah . . .  flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father . . . You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church . . . I give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven . . . Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

It’s interesting to me that Jesus’ affirmation of Peter is juxtaposed today against the narrative found in our first reading in which we heard Shebna, master of the palace, was thrust from his office, pulled down from his station and replaced by Eliakim, who was clothed with Shebna’s robes, girded with his sash and given his authority; the key of the House of David was also placed on Eliakim’s shoulder (cf. Isaiah 22:19-23).  Matthew’s original Jewish audience, who heard about the affirmation of Peter, and who most surely knew the story of Shebna, would have completely understood the not-so-subtle condemnation of the Pharisees it contained, and which was clearly intended by Jesus.  After all, shouldn’t the “religious leaders” of Jesus’ time have rightly inherited “the keys to the Kingdom” otherwise given to Peter?  I believe this is a very significant detail contained within this so-called “rock dialogue.” And so, as had happened to Shebna of the Old Testament, the Pharisees were thrust from their positions of power and were replaced by others; Peter and the twelve Apostles therefore became the new leaders of God’s people.  The Pharisees had abused their power and they had failed, and so they were subsequently denied the power of the Keys to the House of David and to the Kingdom of God.  Unlike the Apostles, and because of their blindness and stubbornness, the high and mighty Pharisees had not been capable of recognizing whom Jesus was, that is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  And so their authority was instead given to those simple fishermen from Galilee.  Let’s just think about that!

As I see it, a greater part of the actions and statements of Jesus during his “public ministry” were in conflict with the “religious leaders” of the day.  Truly it was a struggle between “good” and “evil.”  Even in our own time, isn’t it true we’ve been made aware of unfortunate connections between “religious authority” and the “abuse of power?”  We only need to think of recent scandals in our church that have damaged lives, shattered people’s faith, and have ripped apart congregations and communities.  I think there’s some kind of parallel between the failures of some of our contemporary “religious leaders” and those of the Pharisees.  In both cases, those who had authority utterly failed in their responsibilities as God’s ministers to his people.  Consequently, such “leaders” deserved to be “thrust from their offices, pulled down from their stations and replaced as stewards of the Keys to the House of David and to the Kingdom of God.”

And so, perhaps the “rock dialogue” might well serve as a warning to the “religious leaders” of our own time, and by extension, as an admonition to those who might want to follow them “blindly.”  As a result of their moral inferiority, the Pharisees were incapable of recognizing Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  As such, they completely failed to understand his message, and the radical new way of faith he advanced.  Consequently, they couldn’t fulfill God’s will and/or be instruments of salvation for his people; they led them astray and so had to be replaced!  This is why Jesus entrusted Simon Peter, a simple fishermen, and yet a man of great and unblemished faith, with the authority to lead God’s people.  Let’s pray that our leaders, and especially our Holy Father Francis, always remain faithful in their responsibility to recognize “Jesus as the Christ, and the Son of the living God!”  Let’s also pray they’re always faithful stewards of “the Keys to the Kingdom!”  Amen!

Praise God!  Friar Timothy

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"Jesus Changed All the Rules!"–the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time–Year A

My Sisters and Brothers:

Today’s Gospel gives us the account of the Canaanite woman who pleads with Jesus to heal her tormented daughter (see Matthew 15:21-28).  She persistently “kept calling after” and cried out to Jesus: “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!”   The Gospel tells us the disciples simply suggested “sending her away.”  We even heard what seemed to be very harsh language on the part of Jesus when he said to her: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel . . . it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”  But those words were really only meant to emphasize the fact she was not Jewish; the real story is she would be shown mercy by Jesus none-the-less.  In the end, Jesus recognized the “great faith” of that lowly, pagan, Canaanite woman, and she therefore received the blessing of her daughter’s cure as a result.  As usual in the Jesus story, there’s no doubt this event absolutely scandalized the “religious leaders” of his time.  In their eyes, a person such as the Canaanite woman deserved no attention, no respect, and certainly no blessings from those who were considered to be “the righteous.”  But Jesus changed all the rules!  Unfortunately for us, I believe there are still some “religious leaders” and “religious people” of our own time who are still shunning, showing contempt, and denying blessings to “modern day Canaanite women.”

The fact is there are many people in our world who are “different” from us; we might even be tempted to label such people as “sinners” much the same way the religious leaders at Jesus’ time would have given that same label to the Canaanite woman (and all of the people of her community).  The “different” people in our lives might be members of our own families, the people with whom we work, our neighbors, those sitting next to us in the church pews; they might be foreigners, undocumented people, refugees, homeless people, drug addicts, panhandlers, gay and lesbian people, those with other cultural or racial backgrounds, republicans or democrats, etcetera, etcetera.   The list could be rather long!  Sometimes we might easily judge these people and we may readily dismiss them by our thoughts, words, and/or actions.  We might have justified ourselves, and our conclusions, and believe that such people are unworthy of our attention and respect.  But just as Jesus allowed the Canaanite woman to express her faith and to show confidence in his power, I believe so too must we allow for that possibility from the “different” people in our lives.  The unfortunate fact is that some of these people have been so maligned they’ve been reduced to believing they are “unworthy” of the respect of others; they might then literally believe they’re only good enough to eat those metaphorical “scraps from the floor that fall from the table of their masters.”

I believe the Church Jesus founded was meant to be inclusive and loving, and even radical in its embrace of every single human being.  It’s so sad to me to know that “religion” has often gotten in the way of what Jesus intended for his Church, and for the people who call themselves by his name.  I believe today’s Gospel may challenge us to self-reflect about this.  We might ask ourselves if we as individuals, and as a community, are indeed willing to open our doors and truly welcome all who might come through them, and without distinction, even if such people happen to be “different” from us.  Or would we rather “send them away” because of who they are?  I think I’m being clear about what my preference would be!

My friends, let’s remember that, in his time, Jesus changed all the rules!  And we must always strive to imitate his radical ways of doing things, even as we interpret and apply “the rules” of this day and age.  May we as a church community, and as people of faith, never align ourselves with the judgmental, the unmerciful, the hateful, and the self-righteous “religious people,” and others like them, of our own time.   May the “modern day Canaanite women” always have a place in our lives, and especially in the pews of our church, and in our hearts!  Let’s encourage each other with this message!

Praise God!  Friar Timothy

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"Love Lifted Me"–the Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time–Year A

My Sisters and Brothers:

As I was reflecting upon today’s Gospel story of the encounter of Jesus and Peter on the water (see Matthew 14:22-33), lyrics from the well-known Christian hymn “Love Lifted Me” came to mind.  They were written almost a hundred years ago by songwriter James Rowe (b. 1865).  These are some of the words: “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more, but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, and from the waters lifted me, now safe am I . . . love lifted me! . . . When nothing else could help, love lifted me!”

Today’s Gospel account may inspire us to reflect on the reality of human weakness, and on the persistent longing imperfect Christians have as they hope for salvation.  The Gospel tells us Jesus approached the disciples while they were on a boat and caught in a storm.  But prior to recognizing whom Jesus was, and until he identified himself to them, the disciples cried out in fear, believing they were seeing “a ghost.”  And then Peter said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  This expression of the Apostle’s faith, affirmed by Jesus as he invited him out of the boat, and onto the water, was soon overshadowed by Peter’s fear and doubt.  He quickly lost confidence and began to sink under the waves.  And this was certainly a life-threatening situation!  He therefore didn’t follow through with his initial expression of faith, and he momentarily allowed his human weakness to overcome his confidence in the power of Jesus.  And this could have destroyed him.  But then, with renewed faith, he cried out: “Lord, save me!”  And that’s just what Jesus did: He lifted him and he saved him.  Doesn’t Peter’s experience mirror that of all who’ve “fallen,” and who’ve been in danger of “drowning” because of sin, weakness, and distress, but who’ve nonetheless cried for mercy, and have been “saved” by our merciful Lord?

With all of this in mind, and even though we profess to be Christians, most of us would probably admit it’s difficult to confess to others our doubts, our weaknesses, our faults, and our mistakes.  It may also be true that we can’t even admit these things to ourselves!  And it could be spiritually catastrophic if we wouldn’t be able to admit them to our God.  I believe these kinds of human dynamics speak to Peter’s experience, and to the songwriter’s concept of being “far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, and sinking to rise no more.”  But even if we find ourselves in such conditions, the Gospel promises our loving Jesus still and always desires to lift us, and “to save” us!

As a priest, I’ve “journeyed” over the years with many very honest, yet brokenhearted men and women who’ve struggled with great weaknesses and difficulties in their lives.  One place in particular where I’ve encountered such people has been in the confessional, a place where those who’ve “fallen” or “sinned” have come with the desire to turn around their lives and “to be saved.”  Most times, when I’ve listened to others heart-wrenchingly bear their souls in the confessional, I’ve also witnessed their very deep faith (and I believe this has been the case even if they themselves hadn’t yet recognized it).  Indeed, isn’t it very true one must have strong faith in order to say “Lord, save me!”  And how wonderful it is when someone is able to utter such words, that “despairing cry” so well-articulated by the songwriter!  And how even more wonderful it is to experience the joy of someone who’s been lifted out of distress and truly “saved!”

My friends, with renewed faith, and if ever in danger of “sinking under the waves,” let’s be like Peter and not be afraid to cry out: “Lord, save me!”  I’m confident the “Master of the sea” will always hear our pleading and our cries; we need not be overcome by our doubts, our weaknesses, our faults, and our mistakes!  And then, along with Peter, and so many others who’ve known the great love and mercy of Jesus, we may sing: “From the waters he lifted me, now safe am I . . . love lifted me! . . . When nothing else could help, love lifted me!” Let’s encourage each other with this message of faith!

Praise God!  Friar Timothy

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“A ‘Glimpse’ Into Heavenly Glory”–the Feast of the Transfiguration–Year A

My Sisters and Brothers: 

Every year on the sixth of August, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration; this is true even if the Feast occurs on a Sunday, as it does today.  When it’s celebrated, and from whichever set of Scriptures we are following from the three-year cycle of readings, we hear one of the similar “synoptic gospel” accounts of the Transfiguration (i.e., from Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, and Luke 9:28-36).  In this cycle of readings, the same Gospel passage was also proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Lent (i.e., from Matthew in 2017).  According to the Transfiguration account, “Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”  Then, Jesus’ appearance was “transfigured” (or changed) before them, and “his clothes became dazzling white.”  And the Apostles then saw “Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.”   Seeing the vision, Peter proclaimed it was “good” to be there, and so he asked if he and the other Apostles could build three “dwellings” (or tents): one for Jesus, one for Elijah and the other for Moses (this would have been a customary way of showing honor and respect to distinguished people).  But then “a cloud overshadowed Peter, James and John, and from it a voice said: ‘This is my Son . . . the Beloved and the Chosen one; listen to him!’”  After the voice had spoken, the Apostles once again were “alone with Jesus.”

For the Apostles, this miraculous moment was a foreshadowing of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and it was a “glimpse” into heavenly glory.  The presence of Moses and Elijah confirmed Jesus was the definitive fulfillment of the Law and of the Prophets of the Old Testament.  The Transfiguration also placed upon the Apostles a “mandatum,” or command from God the Father, requiring them always “to listen” to Jesus, the one who was “the Beloved and the Chosen.”  From them, this “listening” would require never-ending obedience to and confidence in Jesus, and the same demands would be extended to Christians of all ages.

Because of the Transfiguration, we believe the Apostles were given insight into an eternal focus that would sustain them during the trials to come.  And this reality would be tested just a short time afterward when they traveled to Jerusalem and experienced the great difficulties of the passion, the death, and the burial of Jesus.  And then, after Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead, and his Ascension into heaven, remembrance of the Transfiguration gave the disciples a sense of how they would also share in that same and promised future glory (cf. 2 Peter 1:16-19).  From this perspective they would clearly understand the words Jesus had spoken at the Last Supper when he said: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be” (see John 14:3).

This same Jesus, whom the Apostles witnessed in glory at the Transfiguration, is present to us today as we gather to celebrate the Mass.  In fact, the Eucharist we celebrate, share, and receive, and the Resurrected Jesus, are one and the same; we aren’t simply partaking in the flesh and blood of the man who walked the dusty roads of Galilee, but rather it’s the eternal Lord Jesus Christ who reveals himself, and who gives himself to us in this Sacrament.  And he does so in all of his heavenly glory!  Today, the same Jesus who was transfigured on the holy mountain before Peter, James, and John, is also made present to us on the altar around which we gather.  And so, like them and in a sense, we ascend that same holy mountain of the Transfiguration every time we participate and celebrate in the Mass.  Therefore, and as it was for those Apostles, it is “good” for us to be here!  And so in this place, we too recognize “the Beloved and the Chosen one” to whom God the Father commands us to listen and to obey, and we too are blessed with a “glimpse” into heavenly glory!  This great Sacrament gives us an eternal focus, and it promises to sustain us through both our difficulties and our triumphs, and in whatever else may also come our way!  In the Transfiguration, in the Resurrection of Jesus, and in the Eucharist that we share, we are promised the place prepared for us in the glory of heaven!  My friends, let’s encourage each other with this message!

Praise God!  Friar Timothy

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