June 24, 2017

 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time A Jeremiah 20: 10-13; Romans 5: 12-15; Matthew 10: 26-33 Did you ever get mad at God? Somehow we feel we can’t do this. But at times in our life when everything seems to be going horribly we feel we are abandoned by God and are really mad. Where is He? Has He forgotten me? Doesn’t He love me anymore? What are we to do? Today’s readings bring up situations that can help us see God’s constant love and presence. Jeremiah is really upset. First he accuses God of seducing him and making him a laughingstock. Then he says he just isn’t gong to be God’s prophet and even mention God’s name anymore. These are Jeremiah’s words preceding today’s readings: “You duped me, O Lord and I let myself be duped…all the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me…the word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day…..” Here, as we see frequently in his book, Jeremiah shares his personal reflections on the hardships he had to face as being God’s spokesman. Today he knows the people are speaking about him and plotting against him. Suddenly his outlook shifts from moaning and groaning to rejoicing. He seems to remember God’s promise of being with him, always protecting him. Now he knows that he has nothing to fear. He feels that God will avenge him. This vengeance is intended to transform the minds and the hearts of people who are persecuting Jeremiah. God is helping them in a dramatic way to see the evil of their ways. For Paul, Adam signifies the origin of sin in the world while Christ, who he describes as the new Adam, is the antidote. Paul refers to sin in the singular. This is because the devil, the spirit of evil, constantly wants to bring evil about in the world. He wants each person to bring evil to others thus showing that God has no power and does not care or love us. The devil’s job description is to cause humanity to constantly revolt against God. Paul is showing us the truth and love of God: He sent Jesus, His gift to us, to show us God’s constant love and intention that each person is chosen to be in heaven. We are in this constant struggle with the devil, with evil itself. The Spirit is constantly helping us to choose the path of love, the way to God. Today’s Gospel is taken from the section of Matthew that is known as the ‘mission discourse’; the entire tenth chapter of Matthew. It is interesting that Mark and Luke share a story on how Jesus choose His twelve apostles. Matthew does not do this, he assumes that his readers already know this story. In fact the first New Testament text to speak of the Twelve is in 1 Corinthians 15:5. The number probably is meant to refer to the twelve tribes of Israel and implies Jesus’ authority to call ALL Israel into the Kingdom. Also Luke and Mark distinguish between the Twelve and a larger group also termed disciples. Matthew tends to identify the disciples as the Twelve. This chapter starts where Jesus “summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.” Then Matthew names the twelve Jesus has chosen. Then Jesus sends them out “…to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Jesus tells them point blank what to expect: they will be subject to hostility and ill treatment. They naturally don’t want to go this path, but this is what awaits every follower of Jesus. Then we come to today’s passage where Jesus is telling them and us, “Fear no one.” They are told not to fear any person or situation in which they find themselves. The Good News is to be proclaimed to everyone. Everything is now in the open. Live love because God is love and loves us. The same caveat is given to each of us: we are to walk in love and live love. I refer often to the beautiful instruction from St. John in 1 John 4:18, “There is not fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love because He first loved us.” Matthew continues with Jesus’ instructions showing how precious and important the apostles are and each one of us is to God. “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before My heavenly Father. But whoever denies Me before others, I will deny before My heavenly Father.” Jesus is encouraging us as His messengers to be brave and strong because God is with us. Jesus is also assuring us that He knows how difficult and dangerous our mission work will be, so we are to TRUST. The early Church experienced in many areas the constant threat of persecution and even to the point of death. We are not really called to that path, but in reality we are. There are many areas in the world today where people are being persecuted for their faith. Many are being sold in slavery, many are being forced from their homes, many live in fear, many wonder where God is. What gifts has God given each us to somehow respond to our needs. Our own daily living poses many challenges. Loss of employment, fractured relationships, broken families, addictions, and personal compulsions are just a few. At these times we live our lives in dark areas. We wonder where God is. God is with us. The wonderful ‘Footprints in the Sand’ painting shows us this. The great spiritual writers share that when all seemed lost, when God seemed the most distant, He is really the closest. Can I be the person God has chosen to share this one point with someone in need? Why not? I’ve experienced these moments myself. We are never alone or abandoned. God is with us and loves us. So I reflect on: • How do I spread the Good News of God’s love? How do I live the Good News of God’s love? • Do I ever think that I am so unimportant that God sometimes loses track of me? Where do I go for help? • When someone thinks poorly of themselves it is easy to get ‘down in the dumps.’ How can being a member of a vibrant, faith-filled community help to remedy this state? Do I sit and watch or do I become involved? Sacred Space 2017 shares: “Father God, You have created me in Your image and likeness; every hair on my head You have counted. You know all my concerns and accompany me on all life’s journeys. Help me sense Your presence and resist fearfulness. For the Christian, the role model is Jesus Christ, who reveals to us what God is like. Lord Jesus, may I prove to be a true disciple of Yours by listening attentively to Your word and by caring for the poor, the weak, and the needy.”