EPHPHATHA!

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 35:4-7

…the ears of the deaf be cleared…the tongue of the mute will sing

Mark 7:31-37

…Ephphatha!  Be opened!

I do love the earthy, raw, Marcan Jesus.  He restores a man’s hearing and speech by putting his finger in the man’s ears.  He heals his speech impediment by spitting and touching his tongue.  In a few verses he heals with spit again as he slowly restores sight to the blind man. 

This Jesus reminds me that it is in the ordinariness of my life that potential holiness resides.  I won’t steward that potential very well if I can’t see it or hear it. 

I pray to be opened…in all my senses…to that which leads to God.  In nature, in human relationships---both peaceful and strained, in playfulness, in work…EPHPHATHA, be opened!

Big Visions and The Daily Grind

Friday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time

Colosssians 1:15-20

THE CHRIST HYMN

Brothers and sisters:

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of all creation.

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,

the visible and the invisible,

whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;

all things were created through him and for him.

He is before all things,

and in him all things hold together.

He is the head of the Body, the Church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,

that in all things he himself might be preeminent.

For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,

and through him to reconcile all things for him,

making peace by the Blood of his cross

through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Placed at the beginning of the letter this hymn evokes the worship experience and sets ritual life as the foundation of the arguments to come.  The Hymn was most likely part of baptismal celebrations and there is much in the Hymn that offers hope and reassurance.  It is grand and mysterious and beautiful.  It encourages and strengthens the community to seek harmony and wholeness. There are real troubles facing the community at Colossae; false teaching, Paul’s imprisonment/death, and increasingly hostile relations with the world outside the church. 

I recall the comfort I experience when the church sings the “Exsultet” or “Shall We Gather at the River” at the Easter Vigil.  I recall the crucifix that hangs above my bedroom door and is the first thing I see when I arise in the morning.  I remember the goofy “Our Lady of Cochabamba” medallion stuck to the steering shaft of my old van.  Ritual, in the act of worship, in the scriptural text, or present in the daily grind…powerful stuff.  True for the Colossians and true for me.

I am comforted today by the Christ hymn…I just wish I could sing it.

The DEEP is Calling

Thursday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time

Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor

Luke 5:1-11

Today’s gospel narrates the Lucan Jesus calling his disciples.  It is interesting to see how the gospels differ and to wonder what that speaks.  Because Luke is the great storyteller, the added details serve the “orderly account” he proposes. (1:3)

The whole great catch scene is pure Luke, though a similar post-resurrection story is told in John 21:1-11.  This scene introduces Peter’s character.  His response to Jesus echo’s Mary’s bewilderment.  Peter has been out all night and he is a professional fisherman.  Mary has not known a man.  With their experiences not supporting Jesus claim, they nonetheless follow along.

Jesus invites Peter to “put out in the deep.”  And in Marian style, Peter does, based solely on Jesus’ word. 

Put out in the deep, Jesus calls. 

Don’t stay all comfortable there in the shallows.

I know you like feeling the secure ground beneath your feet

But…the best fish are in the deep.

C’mon…I will hold your hand.

Like a Thief in the Night

Tuesday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11

For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord 

will come like a thief in the night.

Luke 4:31-37

What is there about his word?

Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians is wrapping up with a reminder about being ready for the Lord’s return.  The emphasis is not on who is in and who is out, but rather it is an encouragement in hope.  Paul encourages the Thessalonians to keep on being there for one another, something they have proven to be very good at.  Like a thief in the night means that it will be a surprise.  I don’t think the takeaway is, so sit on the side of your bed with your gun cocked.  Paul is reminding me:  Let the authority of God’s Word, made known in Christ, guide your thoughts words and deeds…and leave the rest to me.

Tomorrow the lectionary leaves Thessalonica for Colossae.  So I’ll have Paul pray for me this day (5:23-26,28)

Now may the God of Peace,

himself make you perfectly holy

and may your whole being—spirit, soul and body—

be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The one who calls you is trustworthy and so will accomplish this. 

Brothers and sisters, pray also for us.

Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

            The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And the people say:  And with your spirit!

…our liturgical language is OLD