Thursday, October 25, 2007

Thursday of the Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time


Readings for Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Commentary:

Reading 1 Rom 6:19-23

St. Paul now adds the active dimension to his discussion of salvation. Up to this point he has focused on faith in Christ. He now expands his argument to include the actions of the person. He points out that through sinful acts death is achieved but through acts of righteousness sanctification (holiness) is achieved. He concludes this passage with the famous line”For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 1 serves as a preface to the whole book of the psalms. The psalmist here exalts those who follow the Lord’s commands and reflects upon the blessings they will receive. As is usual, this selection emphasizes the contrast between the salvation of the just and the punishment of the wicked (see also
Thursday of the 27th Week).

Gospel Lk 12:49-53

We see in this passage a glimpse of the passion and anguish the Lord feels for the message he is bringing. He sees the flame of faith igniting the whole world. He knows there will be those who accept the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and those who will reject both it and him. This disunion will result in friction and ill will, dividing even families.

Homily:

”For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What a remarkable statement. When we think about a reason for our faith in Christ and acting in ways that label us as his disciples, this is probably the most compelling. Look at St. Paul’s statement as a choice. Here he clearly states that if we chose to behave in ways that violate God’s insistence that we love him and one another, we have chosen death. If we choose the other path, the difficult path, we choose life. Not just peace in this life, but eternal life in Christ.

It sounds simple, like a “no-brainer”. So why then do so many chose the wrong course? We are reminded of the lyrics to a popular song of a number of years ago. The singer, in the song “Only the Good Die Young” chooses to go to hell to be with sinners because “the sinners are much more fun.” On the surface that may seem to those who are weak, to be a good reason. But look at what happens. When sin (a conscious failure to love) enters the human heart, guilt follows; perhaps not at the time, but it will come unless the person is completely amoral (an animal feels no guilt because there is no soul). Guilt manifests itself later in a variety of negative ways. Truly, over time this innate understanding that, even though it may have been “fun” it was wrong, will build causing unhappiness and even death. Yes, “the wages of sin is death.”

On the other side is eternal life in Christ. It is not popular with a secular society that celebrates the “if it feels good, do it” mentality. Jesus knew what he was talking about when he said that his message would divide even families. But look at what comes from following his simple instructions; love God and love one another. We are constantly at peace with those around us, in love with all creation, being loved by the creator. That is what comes from choosing Christ. As for us, we choose life.

Pax

[1] After Links Expire
[2] The picture used today is Death and the Miser by Hieronymus Bosch, 1490

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