The Rambler

  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. ...

  19TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] Let’s travel back to the year 1977. You are in the theatre, watching the newly released Star Wars film. It’s looking bad for Princess Leia. She’s being held captive on an enemy space station called the Death-Star. Suddenly, a rescue team arrives!! What a relief for Princess Leia!! However, you’re noticing that she’s not expressing relief. If anything, she’s expressing a sense of apprehension. The next thing you know, she’s making critical, derisive comments. Clearly, she’s not impressed with the people who have been assigned to rescue her. Nevertheless, she evidently has decided to go with it. It’s not what she would have drawn up. These are not the individuals that she would have recruited. Still, if she insists on having it her way, then this captivity could well linger on indefinitely. Therefore, it’s best to cooperate. It is what it is. She’s ready to go with it.  In the Bible, you’ll come across both types: those who are prepared to go ...

  18TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] In the Book of Isaiah chapter fifty five, the prophet has something to say about the subject of “benefits” (55:3). He lists off several: water; wine; milk; grain. Then in Matthew fourteen we hear about an abundance of bread and an abundance of fish (14:16-21). This is the Lord, extending his special brand of pity (vs. 14) and his special brand of generosity.  For our part, we’re definitely interested. We like all of this talk about benefits. We’re interested, but we’re likewise concerned. What concerns us is the benefit that is NOT being listed. How about promising us a life of ease? We want to be shielded from any threat of hardship or adversity. Leaving out this particular benefit means that all bets are off. Perhaps a relationship with the Lord is not going to be worth the time or the bother.  Some people do walk away. It’s certainly an option. And yet, there are those who choose not to walk away. For example, consider the case of ...

  17TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] We’ll begin by referencing a 1944 novel, titled Green Dolphin Street . The story centers around three children who grow up on the same street. Two are sisters: Marianne and Marguerite; the third is a boy named William. They form a close bond as they live out their childhood years. As they approach adulthood, William enlists in the navy and embarks on a series of travels. Having eventually settled within the British colony of New Zealand, he sends word back home,  requesting Marianne’s hand in marriage.  It’s a choice that will be questioned by a significant number of people—to include William himself. The older daughter would represent a suitable bride, under normal circumstances. However, Marguerite is generally understood to be the more appealing of the two. She is prettier, she has a bright, sunny disposition, and she laughs easily. Meanwhile, Marianne is more serious, more “bookish,” and considerably more intense. She holds out stiff...

  16TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A] You are being assisted by the Holy Spirit, whether you realize it or not. That’s what we hear in St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, chapter eight. You are being supported, and it’s a measure of support that seems to be registering from WITHIN , from deep down inside of you. In other words, the Holy Spirit can be described as an “embedded” Spirit (see Rom. 8:9-27). You are made up of flesh and also of Spirit. The flesh and the Spirit coexist, in the same way the wheat and the weeds are coexisting in Matthew chapter thirteen (13:24-30).  It’s not as if the weeds have been invited. They are clearly an uninvited phenomenon. Nevertheless, you understand that they are also an inevitable part of the picture. You learn to live with this particular disadvantage. And likewise you learn to live with the disadvantages that are associated with the flesh. It can be said that they parallel one another: the weeds and the flesh. Weeds not only appear, but they...