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June 22, 2022We begin this week settling into the readings of ordinary time. The readings from the Gospel of Luke continue. Contained in the readings in the coming weeks are the process of formation that Jesus gives to the Apostles and indirectly to us. The Gospels form us by the word we hear and the lessons we learn. Ordinary time is a good opportunity to teach about the Bible and how the word of God is seen repeating through the experiences of the characters throughout the Bible and the words of Jesus.
So to review a little, the Church gives us a three year cycle of readings on Sundays, (ABC) They use the first three Gospels in order, (Matthew, Mark and Luke). The holy days around the Triduum and the Easter season features large sections of the Gospel of John. By this use of the scriptures, we are given more of all four Gospels to consider in every liturgical year. (remember the liturgical year runs from the First Sunday of Advent until the feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the liturgical year.). The second readings are the continuous readings of the letters of the various writers in the New Testament and do not always complement the first reading or the Gospels. Paul is of course a major contributor simply because he wrote many of the letters which we consider part of the Bible. It is another attempt to read as much as the Bible as we can and hear the word of God. On occasion, all three readings line up for a message that the preacher and the hearers can readily understand but this is more rare than usual. Traditionally, the first reading is from a selection of the Hebrew Scriptures and the rich experience of the people as they work to be in relationship with God. Generally, starting with Adam and Eve, they fall in and out of favor with God who allows them their consequences, but also invites them to repent and return over and over. The psalms are prayer poems that contain all the reality of human emotion and are great examples to us of how to pray honestly. From laments of pain to leaping with joy, the psalmist helps us understand that all of our emotions and experiences are a suitable topic for prayer. Feeling deep anger? Try Psalm 109. Suddenly caught up in the love of God, try Psalm 121. Need to praise God for creation? Try 118. All of them are opportunities to pray from whatever space we are in.
Today’s first reading reminds us that we are called and invited by God to follow him, but that call challenges us to be all in. We will hear the same theme in the Gospel and recognize that following Jesus is never a halfhearted task. The saddest Christians are those who have grown lukewarm about their faith. Jesus is resolute about this journey to Jerusalem. We are invited to be resolute about the way we live our faith too. This is the ordinary stance of the Christian, and we will be learning more about this as we journey through the ordinary time of the rest of the year.
Peace,
Fr. Murray
Building news; We are nearing the finish of the new counters and cupboards in the lower church. Last week we had our first two events there and it appears that everyone who is using them is pleased to have them and to make use of them. This will also allow us to put the kitchen and service items in one central location, which we also hope will give us an easier understanding of what we have. Thanks to all those who helped to transfer and transform this space.
