August 30, 2009: 22nd Sunday in OT. B.

The Gift of Torah, of Law, of “Order” to our lives is the subject of the three readings this weekend. We hear Moses telling people that God is giving this Law NOT to condemn them for failing to follow it, but to “safe boundaries,” so that their lives will be happy and fulfilled. The Commandments are not there to “damn us,” but to help us live lives of balance and beauty. This is why Paul says in the second reading that the Law that commands us to care for orphans and widows is a good gift from the Good God, the “Father of Lights”–a truly beautiful description of God. Then, the Gospel points to the fact that different people will place different emphases on what is important. Pharisees had one emphasis, Jesus another, but ALL cared about living in balance and walking in beauty. Let’s all strive for a holy balance in our lives, too, shall we?

August 23, 2009: 21st Sunday in OT. B.

All three readings are about the concept of “covenant.” In the Book of Joshua from which the first reading is taken, we hear of the renewal of the covenant made at Sinai. The people have finished their desert pilgrimage, and are now in possession of the “promised land,” and it seemed fitting to renew their commitment to serve the God Who had given them their freedom and the land. St. Paul speaks of how to live the covenant which is symbolized by marriage, and interestingly enough, just like a marriage cannot be rich without love, so our “covenanted lives” will be meaningless if we can’t find the inner strength to love others and to care about their struggles. Then, in the Gospel reading from John, we hear of the Food–the Banquet that seals the covenant–or “The Covenant Food,” and it is Christ, Himself. This Food is yours, today, available at this service. Receive His Body and Blood Which was broken and shed for you into your hearts with faith and thanksgiving.

August 16, 2009: 20th Sunday in OT. B.

The readings are about Wisdom and about Eucharist. You don’t know Greek, I know, but the verbs for “to eat” and “to drink” change at this point in Christ’s sermon. He now says, “he who “munches” or “chews on” my Body, and “slurps” or “totally absorbs” my Blood will remain in me...and have eternal life.” These two verbs shock the crowds. People leave. But Christ doesn’t back down. This IS His Body and His Blood that we consume. BUT, there is also another underlying theme: we have to “chew on” it, “absorb” it. Those are “wisdom” words. Even today we speak of “chewing on” an idea, or “absorbing” a thought. In other words, there is something that isn’t “instantaneous” about Eucharist. It takes a life time of “chewing on” the Christ, and “absorbing” His way of life to become a Eucharistic people. But, we don’t get there by just twiddling our thumbs! So, let’s start “chewing,” OK?

August 9, 2009: 19th Sunday in OT. B.

The readings this weekend are, like those of last weekend, “Eucharistic readings.” In this week’s Eucharistic meditation we remember. We remember Elijah who was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. Before that, he had given up hope and prayed for death. The “bread of angels” not only revived him, giving him a “super human” strength, it preserved him from death (the chariot of fire, instead of “death.”) Christ tells the listening crowd that the Bread that is His flesh will bring eternal life (as did the Bread of Angels to Elijah.) The setting for this sermon is Passover, and so everyone has “unleavened bread” and the miraculous Manna on their mind. Christ says that His Gift of the Bread that is Him is not like the Manna–rather it is Heavenly Bread, bringing them the Grace of God that will preserve them to eternity. This, again, is YOUR GIFT from Christ at this service. Feed on the Bread of Angels, the Body of Christ, and form your life in His footsteps.

August 2, 2009: 18th Sunday in OT. B.

The first reading and the Gospel for this weekend are “Eucharistic readings,” in that they are all about Thanksgiving to an Abundant God Who Provides For Us In Our Hunger. The first reading is sort of humorous–in a wry sort of way–the people actually have enough to eat...God is giving them plenty of the miraculous Manna, for Heaven’s sake, BUT they are “tired of it!” Like kids, they say, “Not again! Don’t You have anything ELSE?” And, sure enough, God does! In the Gospel, we are told that in Eucharist (the entire 6th chapter of John from which this reading comes is a meditation on Eucharist,) it is Christ, Himself, that we will receive–a Gift that will, when properly “digested,” overcome all other desires, and fill us beyond measure. That is the Gift give you at this service. God, the second person of the Trinity, incarnated in Jesus Christ, comes to you and fills you. You shall be “full of God,” in a sense. May our lives reflect that profound Mystery!