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 it is “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”. He 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 revelations of the clergy abuse and cover up scandal that tear at our very hearts. The bishops responsible for the cover ups put the reputation of the institution above the dignity, value and safety of the human lives of those children and adults who were abused. Those priests and bishops clearly would be called out by Jesus as hypocrites for preaching one thing and doing another, for condemning other peoples actions when their own were so heinous and sinful.
Let us continue hold the victims in our prayers and in our hearts. May they, by God’s grace find healing and rest from their struggles and pain. And may we, as the Body of Christ, stand together to calling the church leadership for meaningful and transformative change in her structures that will lead to a more inclusive role for laity, especially women, in leadership structures of the church.
And as well 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 that I may be a person of hope in the midst of such dark and troubling times?
Blessing,
Fr Tim
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 revelations of the clergy abuse and cover up scandal that tear at our very hearts. The bishops responsible for the cover ups put the reputation of the institution above the dignity, value and safety of the human lives of those children and adults who were abused. Those priests and bishops clearly would be called out by Jesus as hypocrites for preaching one thing and doing another, for condemning other peoples actions when their own were so heinous and sinful.
Let us continue hold the victims in our prayers and in our hearts. May they, by God’s grace find healing and rest from their struggles and pain. And may we, as the Body of Christ, stand together to calling the church leadership for meaningful and transformative change in her structures that will lead to a more inclusive role for laity, especially women, in leadership structures of the church.
And as well 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 that I may be a person of hope in the midst of such dark and troubling times?
Blessing,
Fr Tim
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