The Rambler

  FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] Paul favors the celibate life (1st Cor. 7:1-7). But clearly he’s not speaking with a prophetic voice. He presents his point of view as solid advice, not as an authoritative body of teaching (vs. 6). He understands our world as something that will pass away (7:31). Therefore, it’s best to limit the number of your attachments. At other times, Paul will express himself more authoritatively, using the kind of approach that an Old Testament prophet might use. However, in this case, he’s more of an advisor than a prophet.  What do we know about the Old Testament prophets? They don’t appear until after the covenant has been established. Through Abraham a covenant will be initiated. And then through Moses that covenant will eventually be formalized. Deuteronomy 18 outlines a prophetic line that will subsequently be put into place. The prophet’s responsibility will be to call out when members of society begin to turn away from the principles of the ...

  THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] What do we find when we look in on the Ninevites? They are in the process of responding to the prophecy delivered by Jonah (Jonah 3:1-10). Moving along, what do we find when we look in on the fishermen? They are in the process of responding to the call of Jesus (Mark 1:16-20). Now we need to consider our own status: are we in the process of responding to any particular message or proclamation? What about this selection from St. Paul? According to Paul, the world as we know it will be passing away (1st Cor. 7:31). How should we be responding, if the world we inhabit is to be understood as a passing world?  Should we be applying ourselves? Why bother, if the world is passing away? Why should you attempt to make the world a better place, if it’s a transitory world? A hands-off approach would seem to be the appropriate approach. And yet, if you page through the Bible, the hands-on approach is being prescribed, over and over again. The world p...

2ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] It’s called the First Book of Samuel, and therefore the narrative centers primarily around the person of Samuel. And yet, we should be careful not to overlook the role that Eli plays in this particular selection from 1st Samuel (3:1-18). The hand of the Lord is at work, but Samuel has not been able to put two and two together. Eli is the one who finally helps with the process of connecting the dots. Something similar takes place in our Gospel reading (John 1:29-34). The plan of salvation is beginning to advance dramatically. However, it seems that history is repeating itself: the Israelites are struggling to put two and two together. John the Baptist steps onto the scene, essentially helping them to connect the dots.  We need people like Eli, the priest of Shiloh. We need people like John the Baptist. Furthermore, we need people like St. Paul. With Eli and with John the Baptist, it’s all about what God is doing. With Paul, it’s more about what God h...

  FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY When we exchange gifts at Christmas time, it’s our way of acknowledging the fact that a gift has been given to us, special-delivery from Heaven—the gift of a Savior, Christ the Lord. This gift will arrive at a specific location, a little town called Bethlehem. One might get the impression that the people of Bethlehem are being singled out. This gift has been sent to them and them alone. And yet, it seems that we are thinking in narrow terms if we isolate on that one town, the town of Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph come from Nazareth. They represent a territory identified as Galilee. The shepherds live and work in the countryside, well beyond the vicinity of Bethlehem. They represent a territory identified as Judea. And now we have to take into account the visit of the Magi. What do they represent?  The Magi (Three Kings, Wise Men) represent the various non-Jewish populations. In other words, they represent the Gentile world. Their presence signifies an unfo...

  SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD  It’s Jesus being exalted when we reach the date of December 25th. Now, as we advance to the date of January 1st, it’s the Virgin Mary’s turn to be exalted. But is it exclusive? Is it an exclusive brand of exaltation? Has she completely replaced Jesus on center-stage? It is true, we are definitely saying something about Mary when we acknowledge her as the Mother of God. However, at the same time, we are likewise saying something about her Son. We’re saying that he has a divine status. We’re saying Luke 1:38 portrays Divinity itself taking up residence within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Therefore, the stage is being shared. Along with saluting the Virgin Mary we are also saluting the “Fruit of her Womb.”  Basically, it’s because of Jesus’ exalted status that we are allowed to extend an exalted status to Mary.  You’ve heard the expression: the high tide raises all of the boats within the harbor. Imagine we’re talking about an...