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Reflection on the Gospel for Saturday of the 20th Saturday, Year Two

August 25, 2018 by James 5 Comments

Readings: Ezekiel 43:1-71; Matthew 13:1-12

Jesus has a very challenging–and timely–teaching for us today.

He tells us to discriminate, to recognize what we actually see in our legitimate religious leadership. Yes, do what they tell you but don’t follow their example. That isn’t a call to blind and passive acquiescence or relinquishing our responsibility. And part of that responsibility is to engage this disconnection between our leaders’ words and deeds. We are never advised to give up and just flee from the problems. Rather, dig in, deal with it; never settle for being a victim. Be accountable and require accountability.

Do not call yourself a teacher and call no man “father”; you have but one Father in heaven. That’s what it’s all about: not pie-in-the-sky, but, here and now, living as if we have but one Father in heaven. Living our lives here on earth as if it’s not about earthly comfort and satisfaction, but the truth. Living to become, here on earth, sacraments of that care that can only come from our Father in heaven.

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Filed Under: Liturgy

Comments

  1. Michael says

    August 25, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    Another direct hit, Fr. James.

    Reply
  2. Peggy Anderson says

    August 25, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    Yes, be accountable and require accountability. And, yes, live to become, here on earth, sacraments of that care that can only come from our Father in heaven. But, also keep in view the truth that the Father is Father of ALL of us; we are all sinners, and His care does not go out only for the victims of sin but to those who act in violence/sin towards the Father’s creation.———- We must find a way to become the sacrament that the Father created us to be. Peace.

    Reply
    • Toni says

      August 27, 2018 at 11:50 am

      Peggy,

      What exactly are you saying? I read your words but whose truth are you speaking of…and what truth do you mean? Exactly what is the sacrament that we are called to be…a very broad term with much interpretation.
      It would seem that the Only Truth we need to be concerned with is:
      1. There is only one Holy God..living and immortal
      2. Jesus is God, and came for us to be redeemed and saved; and call us into relationship with the Father. As such we are called to live life based on redemption/forgiveness/mercy/love/salvation…to live the final commandment of Jesus: To love the Lord with your whole heart, and to Love others as Jesus did. If we do this, then we move/live/embrace the Lord’s Truth, not ours…we live our purpose
      3. The Holy Spirit convicts us , protects us…our teacher.

      Reply
  3. Nicholas Pizzacalla BA LLB says

    August 28, 2018 at 12:09 am

    Fr James

    yes we are hear to live the truth and speak the truth,the “radical truth” like Jesus did when necessary and not for earthly comforts…

    Nick

    Reply
  4. Dennis says

    August 31, 2018 at 3:02 pm

    right on target, Fr James

    Reply

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