The second reading from Paul this Sunday reminds us of our responsibility to care for the vulnerable populations in our society. In first century Palestine widows and the orphans were the most vulnerable, the poorest of the poor. They had no one to watch out for them and the Law and the Prophets commanded that it was the responsibility of the rest of the community of Israel to care for them.
The Psalmist reminds us that “the one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” Jesus chastises the Pharisees and the Scribes for adhering to the “letter of the Law” and not living the “Spirit of the Law”.
Jesus turns their world upside down and confronts them with the truth that what is in a person’s heart is more important than simply adhering to precepts of the law. The message of God’s Word challenges us to “do justice”; to allow the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to transform our hearts from deep within.
Jesus challenges each one of us to become new creations and soar beyond the smallness and stinginess of our human societies and join in building up the Reign of God -- a place where all people are valued, loved and cared for as sisters and brothers.
This message is so on spot as we struggle through the horrific and painful natural disasters that have decimated countries like Haiti and parts of our own country. How do we respond to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, and all the terror reigning down upon innocent women, children and men by the Taliban and Isis-K. How will we accept and embrace the immigrants from Afghanistan and welcome them into our communities and make them feel like our sisters and brothers?
Join me this week as I reflect on; How am I actively doing justice in my daily life? Who are the poor and vulnerable in my life that I am called to care for? What do I need to do in order let go and let the Holy Spirit take the lead in my life? What do I need to do in order let go and let the Holy Spirit take the lead in my life that I may be a person of hope in the midst of such dark and troubling times?
Blessings,
Fr Tim
The Psalmist reminds us that “the one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” Jesus chastises the Pharisees and the Scribes for adhering to the “letter of the Law” and not living the “Spirit of the Law”.
Jesus turns their world upside down and confronts them with the truth that what is in a person’s heart is more important than simply adhering to precepts of the law. The message of God’s Word challenges us to “do justice”; to allow the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to transform our hearts from deep within.
Jesus challenges each one of us to become new creations and soar beyond the smallness and stinginess of our human societies and join in building up the Reign of God -- a place where all people are valued, loved and cared for as sisters and brothers.
This message is so on spot as we struggle through the horrific and painful natural disasters that have decimated countries like Haiti and parts of our own country. How do we respond to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, and all the terror reigning down upon innocent women, children and men by the Taliban and Isis-K. How will we accept and embrace the immigrants from Afghanistan and welcome them into our communities and make them feel like our sisters and brothers?
Join me this week as I reflect on; How am I actively doing justice in my daily life? Who are the poor and vulnerable in my life that I am called to care for? What do I need to do in order let go and let the Holy Spirit take the lead in my life? What do I need to do in order let go and let the Holy Spirit take the lead in my life that I may be a person of hope in the midst of such dark and troubling times?
Blessings,
Fr Tim
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