22st Sunday of Year B August 30,2009
Taking the Message to Heart
It is usual to take at least quiet delight when those who are opposed to what we most believe in are
refuted. Something like that happens when we followers of Jesus hear how he dealt with the Pharisees
and the scribes. There is a danger here. We may so rejoice in the way Jesus challenges his opponents'
duplicity and obstinacy that we can forget that these stories are told so as to be a personal challenge to
us as well.
While we may smile at the obvious absurdity of the washing customs of the Pharisees, we may be less
inclined to check and see whether we have concocted religious customs which make little sense or are a
cause of scandal to others. And, as we know, Jesus taught that what really makes us unclean is what is
schemed from within our hearts. That provides an examination of conscience for men and women in
every age.
For us as individuals, and for the Church as a community, there is continual need to be on the alert. We
need to check that our intentions are pure, that our customs are relevant to our faith, and that our lives
are being lived with integrity. It is for this reason that we are constantly being called to renewal. From
ecumenical councils to local meetings of the parish council, the underlying purpose is the same: that we
examine how faithfully we are proclaiming and living the Gospel.
St James speaks of us submitting to the word which has been planted in us. This theme goes back to the
Old Testament when Moses told the people that they have the law written on their hearts. If their God
was very close to them, we who have inherited the revelation of Jesus have all the more reason to reflect
that our God is very close to us.
This is never more so than when we assemble in his name, for it is then that the Spirit is present to guide
our understanding. This is why our gathering for the Eucharist and our listening to the proclamation of the
Word are so important.
Today we continue to be challenged in our integrity as communities of believers. We can measure our
behaviour according to a number of criteria. St James mentions "coming to the help of orphans and
widows", groups often neglected in his day. Who are the neglected ones today?
For whom should we care for in our day - in the world over, and in our own neighbourhood? As
Mother Theresa of Calcutta was never afraid to point out, it is easy to be so taken up with grandiose
schemes that we miss the cry of the person in our own household or community.
We pray for one another that we will take the word of God to heart, that it will be uncontaminated by
our pride and obstinacy, and that we will allow the Spirit to guide us to make wise practical choices as
we strive to be faithful followers of the Lord.
Tim Buckley CSsR
© Redemptorists 2009
**********************************************
Taking the Message to Heart
It is usual to take at least quiet delight when those who are opposed to what we most believe in are
refuted. Something like that happens when we followers of Jesus hear how he dealt with the Pharisees
and the scribes. There is a danger here. We may so rejoice in the way Jesus challenges his opponents'
duplicity and obstinacy that we can forget that these stories are told so as to be a personal challenge to
us as well.
While we may smile at the obvious absurdity of the washing customs of the Pharisees, we may be less
inclined to check and see whether we have concocted religious customs which make little sense or are a
cause of scandal to others. And, as we know, Jesus taught that what really makes us unclean is what is
schemed from within our hearts. That provides an examination of conscience for men and women in
every age.
For us as individuals, and for the Church as a community, there is continual need to be on the alert. We
need to check that our intentions are pure, that our customs are relevant to our faith, and that our lives
are being lived with integrity. It is for this reason that we are constantly being called to renewal. From
ecumenical councils to local meetings of the parish council, the underlying purpose is the same: that we
examine how faithfully we are proclaiming and living the Gospel.
St James speaks of us submitting to the word which has been planted in us. This theme goes back to the
Old Testament when Moses told the people that they have the law written on their hearts. If their God
was very close to them, we who have inherited the revelation of Jesus have all the more reason to reflect
that our God is very close to us.
This is never more so than when we assemble in his name, for it is then that the Spirit is present to guide
our understanding. This is why our gathering for the Eucharist and our listening to the proclamation of the
Word are so important.
Today we continue to be challenged in our integrity as communities of believers. We can measure our
behaviour according to a number of criteria. St James mentions "coming to the help of orphans and
widows", groups often neglected in his day. Who are the neglected ones today?
For whom should we care for in our day - in the world over, and in our own neighbourhood? As
Mother Theresa of Calcutta was never afraid to point out, it is easy to be so taken up with grandiose
schemes that we miss the cry of the person in our own household or community.
We pray for one another that we will take the word of God to heart, that it will be uncontaminated by
our pride and obstinacy, and that we will allow the Spirit to guide us to make wise practical choices as
we strive to be faithful followers of the Lord.
Tim Buckley CSsR
© Redemptorists 2009
**********************************************
