Tag: disciple

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Jesus is the Temple

the words Jesus is the temple and a crucifix

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Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Malachi 3:19-20A
Responsorial: Psalm 98:5-9
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111719.cfm

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that the Temple will be destroyed. Now this is a really an important point for us to discuss. You see, “temple” is one of the central patterns of the Bible. Unfortunately, we don’t have the time in this podcast to discuss this in more detail. Suffice it to say, temple imagery flows through Scripture from the Garden of Eden as temple in Genesis, to Noah’s Ark as a temple, to the First Temple, the Second Temple and ultimately the resurrected Jesus as Temple. Indeed, in the Book of Revelation, when the new Jerusalem is described, there is no Temple in the new Jerusalem. Why? Because Jesus is the Temple.

In the first part of today’s Gospel, Jesus predicts the destruction of the Second Temple. Why does this happen? To answer that, we need to understand Israel’s role as the chose people. They are “chosen” not for their own exclusive benefit. Israel’s purpose as the chosen people is to be a magnet to unite all the peoples of the world to God. According to the Bible, throughout history, the sin of the people disrupts Israel’s calling. Each time, this leads to purification – a cleaning out which of course means the destruction of the temple and starting over. So, Jesus predicts the destruction of the Second Temple, meaning that the sin of the people has reached a tipping point. Indeed, our first reading from Malachi tells us that, “the day is coming, blazing like an oven…and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” (Malachi 3:19-20).

But then the Gospel shifts. Those listening to Jesus ask when all these things will happen. Unbeknown to them, Jesus describes signs that will happen before his second coming. Yes, many of these signs come to pass before the destruction of the Second Temple, but as we understand this Scripture today, we believe he is speaking about his second coming. He describes the persecution his disciples will face. Indeed, in Acts, Luke describes the apostles rejoicing that they suffer on account of Jesus’ name, (Acts 5:41).

Our mission as disciples is to carry on come what may. Our first task is to spread the Good News. We must be beacons of light in a dark world trying to help lead everyone to the new Temple – to Jesus Christ. Jesus, healing the wounds of Original Sin, helps orient us back to right praise and worship of the Father. It is Jesus who will reign as Lord of all the nations. Our Gospel today points us to next weekend when we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. Our responsorial tells us that the Lord our King will at last come to rule the earth with justice.

Homework! Fed by the Word of God proclaimed, and, in the Eucharist, and in anticipation of Advent, I encourage you to reflect on the following:

  1. Think about how you’d like to receive the message about the Good News. What would be helpful for you to hear?
  2. Use the ideas you come up with and combine them with your personal story of faith. Perhaps write this out but keep it brief – maybe 1 handwritten page. When you’re finished, you now have a basic script you can use to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Cool, right?

Okay, do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Then go and make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Church teaching:

  • Catechism of the Catholic Church: Christ is the true temple, 1197; the temple’s destruction a sign of the last days, 585; the Church persecuted, 675; times of the Gentiles, 58, 674.
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What’s in My Way?

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Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18
Responsorial: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17
Second Reading: Philemon 9:10, 12-17
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Hate your parents? Hate your own life? Carry your cross? What is Jesus talking about?

Jesus is not saying that to follow him you must hate your family. In today’s Gospel (Luke 14:25-33), Jesus knows that the crowd that is traveling with him are not all disciples – not yet, anyway. Some were on the fence while others were just curious to see what he would do next. Jesus knew just how far each person was willing to go.

Does that sound familiar? How far are we willing to go? What obstacles prevent us from discipleship – from drawing closer to Jesus? I remember when my family first moved to central Texas. I walked into the sacristy to help set up for mass, but first I wanted to introduce my family to the priest. We had a retired priest who would help our pastor cover the weekend masses. Now he was quite a character. He was a vet of World War II the Korean War, serving in the army in one and the navy in the other. Now, his experiences gave him a colorful vocabulary, if you catch my meaning.

After I introduced my family to him, he asked me if I was discerning to becoming a deacon. I told I couldn’t because my children were so young. He shook his head and yelled, “That’s BS!” only he used the actual words. The next thing he said cut me to the core. He said, “Don’t use your family as an excuse!”

Was I using my family as an excuse? I think that’s the point of Jesus’ first parable. He is not saying we need to hate our families, but he is saying that we can make all sorts of excuses which keep us from living as disciples.

You see, what could hold us back might not only be the comforts of home, but sin or a grudge or a lack of trust. Maybe we are so caught up in something sinful that we think we are not worthy. Or maybe we relish in some grudge that we just can’t let go of. I know that might sound odd, but I’m sure I’m not the only one whose heard someone say, “remember that time when you did whatever?” Then you find out that “whatever” is something that happened ten, twenty, thirty or forty years ago. Many people talk the talk, like forgive and forget, but they can’t walk the walk. They cling to old hurts and grudges like some sort of security blanket.

I think the theme is excuses. I suspect there are many different kinds of excuses we are willing to make, like “I’m too busy”, “I don’t have time”, “I don’t have extra money”, “I’m too old”, “I can’t get over what she did or he said.” All of these sorts of excuses are obstacles that block our path and prevent us from being the disciples we are meant to be. Whether it’s worldly goods, or relationships, sin or grudges, if we’re not willing to detach from these things and repent, we may not be able to commit to discipleship. Letting go and moving on – these are the costs of discipleship.

Whether it’s these readings or another scripture reading, do get the feeling sometimes that Jesus is trying to shine a light on something in your life? I encourage you to reflect on that even if it’s only for a few minutes. It could be something Jesus is trying to point out to help you in your journey. And that leads us to our homework today.

Homework! After listen to the readings and receiving the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

  1. First, does anything in today’s readings stand out to you? What is it and why?
  2. Are you holding on to a grudge or some past hurt that you’ve refused to revisit and let go of?

I think that if we do our homework, if we are willing to acknowledge the obstacles in our life, acknowledge them and let them go, we will be able to grow in our discipleship with Jesus Christ. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

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The Narrow Path

a path through rock that narrows to a slim opening

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1, 2
Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23) Talk about insecurity!

Today’s first reading from Isaiah 66:18-21, and the Gospel reading from Luke 13:22-30, really speak to us about God’s infinite mercy for everyone.

But those who were walking with Jesus, witnessing all his works, presumably calling themselves his disciples, still lacked confidence that they would be saved. I don’t know anybody like that, do you?

Then Jesus says, “Strive to enter through the narrow door,” (Luke 13:24). Jesus isn’t talking about some strange gnostic or Calvinist idea of predestination. No! The Greek word that is used for “strive” is the word we get “agony” from, which in this case means strenuous athletic effort. This is much like the “agony” athletes go through – the effort, the energy, pain and dedication it takes to compete in the Olympics for example. Years of dedication and effort, and yet not all who try will make it to through the narrow gate of competition. Not all will make it to the Olympics. This is the way Jesus describes the path of the disciple.

But wait! There’s more!

Jesus goes on to say, “After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth…” (Luke 13:25-28).

Later, Jesus says that, “…people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south…some who are last who will be first, and some who are first who will be last” (Luke 13:29-30), and the implication is that it might not be them. Now think about that…you’ve been walking with Jesus, but you find yourself outside and others you don’t even know will come from all parts of the world and they, they who did not personally walk with Jesus, might be allowed inside.

Whoa!

This is what should give all of us pause. It doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting in the pew on a regular basis, or you faithfully serve all the time, as clergy or a lay minister. Why? There is no salvation by association, and we can’t earn our way into heaven by going to church or serving the community.

What then does it take and why does Jesus call it the narrow gate?

I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. What does it mean to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior? It means I have to surrender. I accept that Jesus is the Lord of my life, and that I am not the lord of the manner. It’s not my life to live however I want to live whenever I want to live and doing whatever I want. My purpose isn’t to satisfy every one of my hedonistic or narcissistic desires. I have to acknowledge that God created me for a purpose, and that I need to discover and live that purpose as faithfully as possible.

Okay, so I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. Now what? Our responsorial psalm today reminds us that we need to, “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” That’s the response we make to Psalm 117.

As a disciple, I am called to go out into the world and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. I need to share the Good News with those who can’t come to church, don’t come to church or won’t come to church. That’s a big challenge. Look at what’s happening in the world all around us. Once again, we see the rise of nationalism, the rise of bigotry, of hatred, of racism. The world once again is ignoring the lessons paid for with the blood of our fathers and grandfathers who fought to end all wars. The world marches almost gleefully into darkness.

But we, the children of the light, are called to share the light of Jesus Christ with those cast in darkness. That takes great courage, but indeed that is the kind of person who will enter through the narrow gate – those who accept Jesus Christ and who aren’t afraid to spread the Good News about God’s infinite, unmerited, undeserved gift of mercy for all of His creation.

You can’t be born into salvation. Salvation isn’t limited to some racial or ethnic group. Salvation isn’t offered to those who work hard at being good people. Salvation is offered to those who accept the Lord’s invitation. All it takes is our free response.

Are you ready?

Homework! I encourage you to spend some time this week reflecting on the following questions.

  1. First, have I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior? Maybe I’ve been living like a Christian by default, either by birth, expectation or obligation? Or maybe I haven’t opened myself up to Jesus Christ.
  2. Second, have I surrendered by life to Jesus Christ? Or do I still have the arrogance to think it’s my way.

I think by doing our homework today, we can deepen our resolve as disciples of Jesus Christ and help bring the message of hope to a world that desperately needs to hear it. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!