The Rambler

13TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME  We’ve gone back to the year 1998. The final episode of “Seinfeld” is airing on NBC. Elaine needs to check in on her good friend Jill. Jill’s father was facing a serious illness at last report, and it seems that Elaine has been remiss about asking for an update. She therefore pulls out her phone, but Jerry gives her a look of disapproval. As far as he is concerned, a call like this should be made from a landline. Cell phones (at least back in the 1990’s) were unreliable. The signal would come and go as you went about making your call. Furthermore, Jerry believes the use of a cell phone suggests that you are busy with other priorities. The health inquiry is something you’re squeezing in as you pursue what’s already making up your agenda.   Subsequently, the discussion turns into a protracted debate about cell phone etiquette. From Elaine’s standpoint, making contact is what matters. Whether it’s happening by way of a landline or by way of a mo...

  TWELFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] What do you do when a storm warning has been issued? Typically, you take shelter. Or, if something catastrophic is being anticipated, such as a hurricane, you might consider evacuating—putting distance between yourself and the storm. On the other hand, there are those who do just the opposite. They would rather close the distance between themselves and the storm. On television they are referred to as “Storm-Chasers.” You could follow their progress on the Discovery Channel, with programs airing from 2007 to 2012. If you are wanting a direct experience of the storm, then you might qualify as a storm-chaser.  This begs the question of Why ? Why be a storm-chaser? Evidently, they have their reasons. It’s about collecting data, developing the science, and improving the early-warning system. So there is a method to the madness. A case can be made for the pursuit of storms. Can a case be made for pursuing the God featured in the Book of Job? Fu...

ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME We hear mention of a “crest” in Ezekiel chapter seventeen. What will become of this crest? According to verse 23, it will go on to become a great cedar. Meanwhile, Jesus makes reference to the mustard seed in Mark chapter four. What will become of this mustard seed? According to verse 32, it will go on to become a haven for the birds of the sky. In each case, we’re glorying in something insignificant…glorying furthermore in what it WILL BECOME .  Does this happen in the blink of an eye? Definitely not. How does a great cedar become a great cedar? A great cedar becomes a great cedar through a process of slow and steady growth. We can say something similar about the maturation of the mustard seed. Expect a pattern of growth that will correspond with the world of agriculture. In other words, don’t expect instant results. The magic wand approach has no application within the pages of Sacred Scripture.  This suits you fine—if you are in the habit of...

TENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME  Once again we hear a selection from St. Mark—our primary Gospel source for cycle “B.”  How does he introduce the ministry of Jesus? The mission of salvation begins with Jesus delivering a proclamation: The Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15). How will this message be received? Some are ready to accept this announcement. Meanwhile, there are others who will stand in opposition to Jesus. For example, the Scribes insist that the miracles performed by Jesus are not evidence of the Kingdom, but rather they reveal the influence of demonic activity. Essentially, the claim is that Jesus has aligned himself with Beelzebub, the Prince of Demons.  Jesus responds by issuing a warning: be careful; you’re playing with fire when you blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:22-30). When your hearts harden to the extent that you are formally rejecting the fruits of the Kingdom, this amounts to blasphemy, as far as Jesus is concerned. You’re crossing a ...

  FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI Last week we were focusing upon the Trinity. When we call our God a Trinitarian God, it’s another way of saying that God is love (1st John 4:16). He loves us so much that he can hardly contain himself. Rather than abide in Heaven, he ventures forth, taking a place within our world through the miracle of the Nativity. If this wasn’t enough, he ventures even further, inhabiting your soul through the miracle of the Eucharist. The love we acknowledged on Trinity Sunday becomes internalized as we shift our attention to the Feast of Corpus Christi.  Consider the ritual we observe when we gather for the Mass. We commit to the practice of listening as the Liturgy of the Word unfolds. Then, as the Liturgy of the Word gives way to the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we literally “take in” the elements that have been consecrated. This represents a ritualized process through which the gift of divine love can actually be internalized. And it’s worth noting that the Lord...

  TRINITY SUNDAY  Let’s begin by pretending that we are in Rome. We’re stepping into the Sistine Chapel so that we can reflect upon a display known as The Last Judgment . We will need a period of time because this panoramic fresco takes up an entire wall. The great Renaissance artist Michelangelo initiated this project in the year 1536 and finally was able to finish it in the year 1541. Our guide calls attention to the fact that the artist himself appears twice within this masterpiece. He’s depicted in connection with St. Bartholomew in one panel, and then he appears again, looking on as the dead are being called forth to experience the resurrection. So as an artist he’s placing himself within his work of creation. For all practical purposes, this is Michelangelo entering into what it is that he has created.  The purpose behind this illustration is that the Trinity can be understood along similar lines. In the Book of Genesis we read about God’s great act of creation. The...

  FEAST OF PENTECOST  Imagine for a moment that you are Commissioner Gordon. You head up the police force in Gotham City. When you learn about criminal activity, you typically turn to the uniformed officers who serve under your command. They represent what could be called the conventional option. And yet, sometimes you have to deal with exceptional situations. When the conventional option is no longer sufficient, you pursue the unconventional option: namely, Batman .  You make use of either the Bat-Signal or the Bat-Phone. That’s what you do if you happen to be Commissioner Gordon of Gotham City. You’re the kind of police commissioner who is more than willing to admit that he might need some extra help. And that’s good news for the people of Gotham. It’s a better place to live, because the commissioner chooses to take this humble and honest approach.  The point of this illustration is to consider whether the Commissioner Gordon approach can bring some benefit to you...