Third Sunday, Ordinary Time [B]

 


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 passes so that room can be made for the Kingdom. We don’t know all there is to know about the Kingdom. But we know enough. We’re prepared to list the Kingdom as our primary goal. 


For his part, the Lord is paying close attention. He will grant you a place in the Kingdom, if he can see that you are committed to pledging yourself to the Kingdom. When you minister to those who lack adequate food, clothing, shelter, this constitutes a pledge; you’re pledging yourself to the Kingdom, and all that the Kingdom represents. This current epoch has everything to do with the making of a pledge. We’re using the time that has been provided; using it so that an unmistakable pledge can be made—pledging ourselves to the Kingdom. Therefore, act now, so that your place can be secured. 


Can you afford to wait? Perhaps you’re thinking about a wait-and-see approach. When you pledge yourself to the Kingdom, you’re going against the grain, you’re running counter to the existing culture. Why put yourself on the line? Simply wait until you can see that the Kingdom is being established? Wait until it has prevailed. Of course, this would be like hiding your Dallas Cowboy cap until you can see that they are about to win the Super Bowl. Now it’s time to put on my cap! Now I can pledge myself to the Cowboys! 


This example derives from a seminary experience. A student from the midwest decided it was time to climb on the Dallas Cowboys bandwagon. His regional team was struggling, but the Cowboys were on their way to a championship. Suddenly this student was identifying as a Cowboys fan. It was suggested to him that some people actually belong on that bandwagon—namely the fans who had pledged themselves during the lean years. The implication was that this student really had no legitimate place on the Dallas bandwagon. Fortunately, he would go on to excel where it matters the most: the Kingdom of God. 


It’s disappointing when you behave like a fair-weather fan. It can be said that you’re failing, but not in an area that holds a great deal of relevance. You disappoint the people around you, but the consequences are minimal at best. However, when you fail the Kingdom test, now you’re drifting into dangerous territory. You’re drifting out of range, drifting well beyond the category of disappointment. 

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome

 These are text versions of the sermons I have prepared for the Sundays of the calendar year. I am a Catholic priest of the diocese of Gaylord (Michigan), ordained in 1997. 
Read more

Second Sunday of Easter [B]

Image
  SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER  You will find that some Bible passages have a way of explaining themselves. These verses come across as straight-forward. You don’t need any help forming your interpretation. But then you make your way into the First Letter of St. John. Chapter five outlines a series of witnesses; referred to as the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood (5:6-8). Jesus comes to us by way of the Spirit, by way of the Water, and by way of the Blood. Upon consulting the commentaries you discover that scholarly opinion remains divided, regarding this selection. A definitive interpretation has not yet been reached. Generally, however, speculation has leaned in the direction of the Jordan River, with Jesus stepping forward to be baptized.   If you pray the Rosary, this ranks as the first of the Luminous Mysteries. You know that this mystery centers around the symbol of water. You know also that the Holy Spirit becomes visible in the image of a dove (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10). Two of the wit
Read more

Passion Sunday [B]

Image
  PASSION SUNDAY Because we are in the “B” cycle, this year’s Passion reading will come from the Gospel of St. Mark. Last year, with cycle “A,” we heard St. Matthew’s account. Next year, observing cycle “C,” we will hear from St. Luke. If you are wondering about St. John, we spend time in his Gospel every year, especially during the seasons of Lent and Easter. As for Mark, his Gospel bears a resemblance to both Matthew and Luke. These are called the “Synoptic Gospels,” because they appear to be synchronized around a common body of source material. We find plenty in the way of similarities, but we also find peculiarities---elements that are unique to each of the Synoptics. For example, with regard to Mark’s version of the Passion, attention is called to a particular young man who panics as the authorities come to arrest Jesus. He, likewise, very nearly gets apprehended, but they manage only to grip the hem of his tunic. The unnamed disciple slips out of his garment and runs off into the
Read more