The Rambler

  25TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] He’s called Doctor Strange . Dr. Strange became part of the comic book world back in the year 1963 [Marvel’s Strange Tales #110]. In more recent times he has been appearing on the Silver Screen. The first Dr. Strange movie premiered in 2016, and then a sequel was released in 2022. Either way, whether you’re encountering him through the comic books or through one of the feature films, you’ll find that the storylines are not easy to follow. You won’t always understand what’s happening. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to recognize that he represents the good. He is looking out for the human race. He’s on your side. He somehow manages to be both strange and also benevolent. In this case, strange doesn’t necessarily mean bad.   We can say something similar about our Lord. His ways are mysterious, as we hear in the Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty five (55:8-9). The ways of our Lord are mysterious, and they can also be described as counter-intuitive. No...

  24TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] What is Paul describing? He’s describing a plan that centers around the notion of solidarity . Jesus has of course descended from Heaven. Why? It’s so that he can be in solidarity with us. By being produced from the womb of a human mother, he enters into a state of solidarity with the human race. Is it a complete solidarity? Not yet. He still has to take his place among the dead. He takes his place among the living by being born of Mary. He takes his place among the dead by dying upon the cross. Now the solidarity is completed. Now he can be called “Lord” of both the living and the dead (see Rom. 14:9).  This begs a number of additional questions: what does it mean when we acknowledge Christ in this way: as “Lord” of the living and the dead? What is the objective behind all of this? Is it the pursuit of authority? Is that his primary desire? Is it simply that he wants to have authority over as many people as possible? Is he a megalomaniac? O...

  23RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] You find yourself in front of the TV, channel-surfing. You pause for a moment on a broadcast of the 1964 production: My Fair Lady . You know that it’s supposed to be a love-story. But as you tune in, you’re thinking that it doesn’t sound like much of a love-story. Here’s Dr. Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) being vigorously scolded by Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn). Her tone is severe and her words are highly critical. As for Professor Higgins, he’s definitely NOT feeling the love. If anything, he’s feeling pain and also a measure of shock.  Having joined the film in progress, you’re wondering how she can be classified as a “fair” lady? It seems to you that she is being decidedly un fair. That’s certainly how Henry Higgins is looking at the situation. At least, that could be regarded as his initial assessment. Now, he’s seeking out a moment of solitude, so that he can ponder and reflect. And it’s clear that something is happening to him as he ...

  22ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A]  It’s sinking in for the prophet Jeremiah: suffering and spirituality go hand-in-hand. He’s not necessarily happy or enthusiastic about the idea. But he’s adjusting (see Jeremiah 20:7-10). As for Simon Peter, he’s not there yet. If Jerusalem means trouble for us, then we should stay away from that location (see Matt. 16:22). Note how Jesus responds: he compares Peter with Satan (vs. 23). Why? What do they have in common with one another?  Recall what happens earlier on in Matthew’s Gospel. Who is that out in the desert, roughing it? That would be Jesus. He proceeds into the desert voluntarily, so that he can subject himself to a pattern of penance and discipline. Who is that visiting Jesus? It’s the devil. Satan appeals to Jesus’s sense of hunger. Why go on, being hungry? Turn this stone into a loaf of bread (Matt. 4:3). In other words, you shouldn’t be following the path of suffering. That’s for people like John the Baptist. You belong ...

  21ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A]  In a fable recorded by Aesop we hear about a running race being waged between a tortoise and a hare [a turtle and a rabbit]. The tortoise scores the upset of all upsets by reaching the finish line ahead of the hare. How do we explain such a result? It apparently has something to do with the hare’s attitude. When you are in the grip of pride and the grip of arrogance, this will breed a spirit of over-confidence. You might well figure that the victory will be all the more absolute if you can squeeze in a nap along the way. Unfortunately, the nap becomes an extended nap. And this provides an opportunity for the tortoise to catch up and to prevail. The fable concludes with a time-honored maxim: slow and steady wins the race.  What has been said about the hare can also be said of the palace steward, Shebna. He only appears briefly in scripture, presented in an unfavorable light by the prophet Isaiah (see 22:15-24). Shebna can be described a...

  20TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] We will begin by referencing a 1933 film titled King Kong .  It’s regarded by many as the greatest monster movie of all time. Kong, a giant gorilla, lives on a remote island—an island that bears the shape of a skull. The island seems to have been untouched by the hand of time; the conditions are essentially prehistoric. It’s an isolated world, but it’s not going to remain that way: visitors are arriving from North America. They set about launching  an exploratory mission and this leads them into an encounter with the menacing Kong. For the most part, it’s a rather hostile encounter. However, a new sensation takes over as Kong gets a closer look at Fay Wray, a celebrity who has been invited to accompany the expedition. Put yourself in Kong’s position: nothing could have prepared you for this. You can only marvel at the sight of her fair complexion, the golden waves of her hair, her sky-blue eyes, and the overall delicacy of her features. ...