The Rambler

  26TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] What will you see if you decide to attend an air show? You will see an assortment of aircraft, some vintage and some modern. Some will be parked as static displays, and some will be flying overhead. When a high performance, modern day jet-powered aircraft takes to the skies, will it be performing at its fullest level of capacity? Actually, no. The FAA does not allow for that type of full-scale demonstration. Those who perform need to operate within the limits that have been established by the governing body. For example, a pilot can fly fast, but not faster than the speed of sound. An infraction takes place when a pilot breaks the sound barrier.   It’s something that’s not supposed to happen—and yet sometimes it does. Three years ago, it happened in Oshkosh Wisconsin. An F-16, having carried out a vertical climb, was just beginning its descent. Moments later a “sonic boom” was registered. The concussion startled people and there were rep...

  25TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] Scripture readings are proclaimed when we gather together at Mass. Sometimes the words we hear come across as words of affirmation. However, the words for this weekend reflect more of a critical tone. We can say this about what’s happening in the Book of Wisdom: it’s the kind of thing that shouldn’t be happening (see Wis. 2:12-21). How about what’s happening in the Book of James? Again, it’s something that shouldn’t be happening (see James 3:16–4:6). And the theme continues when we proceed into Mark chapter nine: this argument about status is, once again, something that shouldn’t be happening (Mk. 9:34). Jesus calls for a child to be brought forward (9:36-37). This is for the sake of contrast. According to Jesus, when you become child-like, you secure a place for yourself within the Kingdom. It’s all about becoming child-like—child-like rather than child-ish.  You’re probably wondering about a plan of action. Perhaps the concept isn’t as clea...

  24TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] Some questions require an either/or response? Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi? Do you root for the Wolverines or the Spartans? It has to be one or the other—either/or. Then we have to consider the question being raised in James chapter two: are we justified by faith or by works? It sounds like we are dealing with yet another either/or question. In fact, that is exactly how the question has been handled down through the centuries.  However, in more recent times, the question has taken on a new shape, a new structure. Now it’s being answered as “both/and” rather than “either/or.”  It’s generally agreed that we are in fact justified by faith. But are we talking real faith? Or something artificial? How can you distinguish a real faith from an artificial faith? According to James, in order to be real, your faith has to be a manifested faith (2:14-26). If it’s being manifested through the carrying out of good works, then it will qualify as an au...

  23RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] I’ll begin by linking the miracle of Mark chapter seven with the prophecy outlined in Isaiah chapter thirty five. In other words, our Gospel passage this weekend seems to build upon our selection from the Old Testament. Jesus issues the command: BE OPENED (Mk. 7:34)! It’s an expression that can be applied on more than one level. In this particular case, it refers to the opening of an ear canal. But the command BE OPENED can likewise be applied to an impaired voice box or an impaired eye socket (see Matt. 12:22).  We can widen the application further by focusing upon the subject of the human heart. We hear about the opening of eye sockets, ear canals, and voice boxes. And yet, all too often, the problem has more to do with the heart (see Mk. 7:21-23). Note this weekend’s second reading. James includes this message about partiality because hearts are sealing shut when they should be opening wide (2:1-5). Instead of being locked, these hearts n...