Tag: Salvation

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A Voice Crying Out in the Wilderness

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Second Sunday of Advent Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120819.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

“It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths,’” (Matthew 3:3).

Can you imagine it? It’s a calm day and you’re going about your business when something unusual breaks the quiet. A man with bushy hairy wearing an animal skin outfit and cinched about the waist with a strap of leather, and who eats locusts and honey, and who has a wild look in his eyes steps out onto the street and begins to yell. How would you react? What would you think about him? I’d liken him to one of those guys you might see every now and then wearing sandwich boards signs that read, “Repent! The end is near!” I tell you I’d think he was a bloody loon! And yet, people were drawn to John the Baptist – they were drawn to his message of repentance and forgiveness in preparation for the coming of the Lord.

Why? I believe it’s because sometimes we can’t see what’s directly in front of us. Sometimes we are so caught up in the mechanics of our lives or so numbed in our modern time by what we see on the news or in shows or movies that we are blind to the truth. Sometimes it takes a dramatic event, not unlike jumping into freezing cold water, to wake us up. John the Baptist was that “splash of cold water” that some of the people in Judea needed to start waking up from their slumber. It’s that whole idea of the blue pill or red pill from the Matrix.

Some people are content going about their lives without giving any real thought to their lives or their futures in this life or the next. As long as everything works out reasonably consistent with their plan, they are content to go about their everyday lives ignoring the hunger in their hearts – ignoring the nagging question, “is this all there is?” In comes John the Baptist saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2).

People – perhaps those with a burning hunger in their hearts that could not be satisfied with possessions, relationships, alcohol, pornography, food or sex. Those who understood that only God can fill the holes in their hearts were drawn to the Baptist. But they weren’t the only ones drawn to him. Scripture says that many of the Sadducees and Pharisees were coming to his baptism. Now, we don’t know their motivation. We do not know if they were really coming to be baptized by the son of the priest Zechariah, or if they were coming out of curiosity. Either way, John catches sight of them and begins rebuking them.

He calls out, “You brood of vipers!” (Matthew 3:7), and he tells them, “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance,” (Matthew 3:8), implying they were not coming to be baptized with right intention. He challenges them to provide evidence for their conversion by producing fruit. Now this is key. He is not telling them that they need to produce fruit to be reconciled or in order to be saved. There is nothing – nothing we can do to earn our way into heaven! Salvation is an unmerited gift freely given. But if they repent, if they believe if they really believe that God would save them, then their lives should be totally transformed.

The love of God should reverberate in their lives the way a stone breaks the surface of a still pond sending ripples out in every direction. And if it doesn’t? John warns that, “…every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire,” (Matthew 3:10). He goes on to say that, “…one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals…He will…gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire,” (Matthew 3:11-12).

Whoa!

The message of John the Baptist is not limited to a specific point of time. His words echo across time and space and meet each of us on our journeys right here, right now. Holy Mother Church presents this reading at this time of year as a sort of splash of cold water to get our attention. Advent is not only a time to slow down. Advent is also a time for a little introspection – call it an end of the year review or a status check if that makes it easier. The point is that we who are baptized should live lives consumed by the love of God, because as St. Paul tells us, “yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me,” (Galatians 2:20). We should allow the love of God to transform how we behave amongst our families, friends and strangers, how we conduct ourselves in public and online, and how we manage our jobs and businesses. How do we do that? Well, that leads me to homework!

After having received the Word of God proclaimed and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. First, ask yourself, what are the things that keep me distracted from hearing the voice crying out from the wilderness?
  2. Second, how is my baptismal call countercultural?

I think if we do these things, they will stimulate a little introspection to help us as we prepare not just to celebrate the memorial of Christmas, but to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References

  1. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  2. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.

Catechism Links:

  1. St. John the Baptist, 523 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p3.htm#523
  2. John’s baptism of repentance, 535 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p3.htm#535
  3. Christ’s baptism, 535 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p3.htm#535
  4. Baptism in Christ, 1227 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1227
  5. The effects of Baptism, 1262 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1262
  6. Baptism makes us adopted son of God, 1265 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1265.htm

Mass Readings

First Reading
Isaiah 11:1-10
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
a spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
but he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day, the root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
the Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.

Responsorial
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
R. (cf. 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
he shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Second Reading
Romans 15:4-9
Brothers and sisters:
Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction,
that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to think in harmony with one another,
in keeping with Christ Jesus,
that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,
for the glory of God.
For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised
to show God’s truthfulness,
to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,
but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles
and sing praises to your name.

Alleluia Luke 3:4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

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Pharisees and Scribes

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Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
Responsorial: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Gospel: Luke 15:1-32

In today’s Gospel we find three familiar stories: the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. We could spend quite a bit of time breaking open the meaning of each of these parables – the relentless pursuit by the Shepherd, the woman and the Father running through the field to the son who returned home.

All of these parables give us insight into the immense love of the Father for each of us. The Father loves you and he loves me so much that he will chase us forever, but here’s the catch – we have to choose to say yes. You see, the Father will never force himself on anyone.

As beautiful as these parables are and as much as we all need to reminded that there is nothing, nothing we can do that will make us unlovable by the Father, I want to focus instead on the introduction to these parables.

Here is how Luke begins the parables. “The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him, but the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them,’” (Luke 15:1-2). The Pharisees and scribes were complaining.

While everyone could here the parables, Jesus directed these parables to the Pharisees and scribes. Why?

In the second reading from First Timothy, we hear, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” (1 Timothy 1:15). Now, we should all say to ourselves, “yes, that makes sense, because we are all sinners,” but my brothers and sisters, I suggest to you there are some who do not see themselves that way. We call these people self-righteous. Who are these people?

Again, from First Timothy we hear, “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief,” (1 Timothy 1:13). Paul describes himself as one of these self-righteous people – one of these Pharisees and scribes who have this unfounded belief that they are morally superior to everyone.

Paul reminds us that Jesus came into the world for sinners. But like the older brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, there are many people who think, “I’m a good person.” Like the older brother who worked hard in his father’s fields from morning to night – who played by the rules and didn’t even ask for food to share with his friends, there are many people who believe that being a good person is good enough. And maybe we scoff at the idea that someone who is reckless, like the lost son deserved compassion.

You see, the tax collectors were particularly hated by most Jews. Tax collectors were Jews who worked for the Romans – they worked for the occupiers. And the way they were compensated was that they were allowed to add a surcharge to the taxes they collected for Rome. So, not only were they collecting taxes, but they squeezed people harder so that they could get their share. How could these people and other sinners – other people who didn’t live by the rules – deserve forgiveness? Sound familiar?

Why are you giving money to that homeless guy? It’s his own fault that he’s on the street or he’s just going to use the money for drugs or booze.

I work hard for my money. Why should my taxes go to welfare? They just keep having more and more kids.

Why should my taxes pay for that druggie in the hospital? It’s not my fault he’s strung out.

“I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance,” (Luke 15:7).

Homework! After receiving the Jesus through the Word of God proclaimed and in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.

  1. First, in my heart of hearts, can I relate to the Pharisees and the scribes?
  2. Second, what is or are the sources of my righteousness?

I think by doing our homework, we can prepare our sinful hearts for repentance. 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!