The Rambler

  THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT [C] You’ve heard the expression: Don’t go there!! Essentially that’s what we’re hearing from Jesus in the Gospel of Luke chapter thirteen. The disciples are being warned not to speculate. Yes, a tower did collapse in Siloam (a district located just south of Jerusalem). Yes, eighteen people died as a result. And yes, the reports are true about a council of Galilean conspirators; they have been apprehended and they also have been put to death.  For your part, you’re thinking this has to do with unconfessed sin. You’re seeing two cases of divine retribution. These untimely deaths have occurred because transgressions were being committed. I’m saying: Think again!! Concentrate on your own transgressions, your own level of culpability! The call for repentance is universal. It’s not as if your purity exceeds the purity of those who died in Siloam or those who died at the hands of Pilate (see Luke 13:1-9).   In other words, don’t act superior; don’t ...

  SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Back in 1964, Chuck Berry was singing about the experience of having “no particular place to go.”  Was it a problem for him, not having any particular place to go? Actually, he didn’t seem to mind at all. What about the patriarch Abraham? He evidently has no particular place to go. Does it bother him? We don’t know for sure. We can say this much, however: if it doesn’t bother Abraham , it does represent a source of bother for the God of Abraham . An apparition takes place; suddenly Abraham is on the move. He has somewhere to go. He leaves the region of Mesopotamia, traveling several hundred miles west, and then another few hundred miles south. By the time he concludes his journey, Abraham is now residing in the land of Canaan (see Gen. 12).  Are we talking about change for the sake of change? Is it simply about a change of scenery for Abraham? Is this God having some fun, moving pieces around on the chess board? No, in Genesis chapter 15 we hea...

  FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Some of you will remember a film called “In Harm’s Way.”  Originally it was released as a novel [1962]; soon afterward it was adapted for the screen [1965]. A number of story-lines are covered throughout the course of the feature. One of the more intriguing story-lines centers around a Naval officer being reunited with his son. He had long ago drifted out of contact with his ex-wife and his toddler son. Therefore it comes as a surprise when he learns that the son is now serving as an ensign in the Navy.  This leads to an eventual reunion. Can it be described as a happy occasion? Not exactly. For his part, the father has high hopes. However, tension fills the air, from the very first moment that the encounter gets underway. The son offers the courtesy that would befit a superior officer, but he offers nothing beyond that. No warmth. No smile. No acknowledgment of a family bond. The gripping scene concludes with the presentation of a stiff salute....

  ASH WEDNESDAY Imagine that it’s 1961. You’re Audrey Hepburn, entering into your daily ritual. This ritual places you before a store window. Why are you stopping in front of this particular window? You like what’s being displayed on the other side of the glass. You dream about the day when you’ll be able to adorn yourself with what’s being featured on the other side of this window.   What is it that has you so captivated? Is it a bowl of ashes? Are you dreaming about the day when a priest will reach out and mark you with ashes? That’s an unlikely prospect. Why would ashes be put on display? Furthermore, why would anybody want to be adorned with ashes? Customarily, the more natural desire is to be adorned with jewelry. That’s what Audrey Hepburn dreams about in that 1961 film, Breakfast At Tiffany’s . She’s looking forward to the day when she can be adorned with the jewelry that comes from Tiffany’s. She’s attracted to jewelry, not ashes.  Having outlined her ritual...

  EIGHTY SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C] You judge a tree by examining its fruit (see Sir. 27:6 & Lk 6:44). Therefore, initially you will be focusing upon the branches of the tree. Paul, however, has shifted his attention away from the branches; it’s more about what’s happening with the roots (see 1st Cor. 54-58). What can we say about the roots? Are they reaching out? Have they tapped into a source that will bring some level of nourishment and vitality to the tree? Essentially, if you have successful roots then success will begin to likewise appear on the branches. In other words, if there’s action underneath the tree, this will lead to action taking shape upon the branches of the tree. You will have fruit, and you will have it in abundance.  Fruit of what type? Well, a lot can be said about this theological subject. In the interests of time, we’ll restrict ourselves to the specific fruit being emphasized in First Corinthians chapter fifteen: namely, the virtue of hope. Appre...

  SEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C] We’ll be able to agree that Jack London knew how to cover both ends of the spectrum. His 1903 novel leads us into the wild; meanwhile, in his 1906 novel, we put the wilderness behind us. The title speaks for itself, with regard to his 1903 novel: The Call of the Wild . Here, we follow the story of a domesticated dog who transitions to the wild. Subsequently, the 1906 novel traces the path of a wolf that becomes domesticated, taking on the name of White-Fang . In each instance, we hear about one set of instincts being exchanged for another set of instincts.  The call that comes from the wild can be described as rather compelling. That being said, we also need to consider the call that comes from within the pages of sacred scripture. When David spares the life of King Saul, we actually find ourselves being implicated (see 1st Sam. 26:1-25). Our own approach needs to parallel the approach of David. In other words, we need to incorporate the ...