The Rambler

  FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING We’re navigating through familiar territory when we review this weekend’s first reading. We have grown accustomed to the portrayal of Lord as Shepherd (see Ezk. 34:10-31). However, we’re beginning to drift into less-familiar territory as we turn our attention to the next two readings. The shepherding imagery gives way to an emphasis on the Lord’s authority. It’s an authority that surpasses all other levels of authority (see 1st Cor. 15:24-28). Ultimately, it’s an authority that will be revealed to its fullest extent at the end of time, when judgment is passed on the living and the dead (see Matt. 25:31-46).  It’s very likely that we would rather focus upon the shepherding aspect. We want to hear about his compassion, his willingness to search for the lost sheep. And we get plenty of this as we make our way through the course of the church year. Yet this is the one weekend where we face up to his supreme brand of authority. He is not just “Shepherd” ...

  33RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME  Count it as a profound blessing, if you have a spouse who’s committed to you and also to the wider community (see Prov. 31:10-31). That’s the primary message being communicated in our first reading, taken from the Book of Proverbs. Meanwhile, in our Gospel passage, we venture into the area of disappointment. The problem has to do with employee number three; the level of productivity drops sharply when we train our focus on employee number three (see Matthew 25:14-30). Therefore note the contrast: a particular blessing is being celebrated in our first reading, and then in the Gospel we hear words of disappointment .  What’s being outlined here? Essentially, this represents the flow of life. As your life unfolds, you find yourself alternating between blessings and disappointments. On Monday you’re counting your blessings; on Tuesday you’re wading through a fresh new wave of disappointment. That’s the flow of life. You do your best to appreci...

  32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME  The Lord arranges for Wisdom to be made available; all you have to do is commit yourself to the pursuit of Wisdom (see Wis. 6:12-17). The problem, however, is that for many of us, wisdom represents a kind of afterthought. For example, hindsight tells you that you should have checked your lamp ahead of time, to see if it was low on oil (see Matt. 25:1-13). Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, we have to appreciate the people of Thessalonica: note how they are in the habit of looking ahead (1st Thess. 4:13-18).  And yet, sometimes looking ahead means fretting . In this case, the Thessalonians have become preoccupied with one specific subject: the prospect of the Lord’s Second Coming. Through the course of their discernment, an impression has formed: they believe that the Second Coming is something that will impact THEIR particular generation. The concern has to do with the fact that members of the community have grown old and some h...

  31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME  When our calendar year concludes, a list will be presented by our dear friends at Lake Superior State University: a list of words that deserve to be banished . Will the word “father” show up on the list? You almost have to wonder, given the subject matter of Matthew, chapter 23. You’re not supposed to call anybody on earth your “father” (Matt. 23:9). Furthermore, avoid adopting that title for yourselves. Is this Jesus taking the Lake Superior State approach? Is the word “father” actually being banished? If so, why would Jesus put the word “father” in the mouth of the infamous Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)? And why are the Corinthians being instructed to regard Paul as their spiritual father (1st Cor. 4:15)?  The Lord appears to be targeting an attitude, over and against a term or an expression. By way of example, consider the word “maestro.”  Can this term be applied to someone like Leonard Bernstein? It seems appropriate, taking into a...

  FEAST OF ALL SAINTS In the world of comic books, civilians find themselves being threatened on a regular basis. The conventional authorities are called in, but they never seem to be up to the task at hand. Sooner or later, the super-heroes have to make their presence felt. If an individual super-hero comes to your defense (someone like Spider-Man), you’ll jump for joy. But just imagine what it would feel like to have a team of super-heroes looking out for your welfare! Suppose, for example, that it’s the Fantastic Four arriving on the scene. Initially you are thrilled. And yet, it concerns you that only three members appear to be present and accounted for. You would prefer to have all four present and accounted for. Three might not be enough.  Eventually, you breathe a sigh of relief. You have come to recognize that all four members are in fact present and accounted for. You forgot about the fourth member and her ability to become invisible. So now you are experiencing a s...