News - October 2021 RSS Feed

SHEMA ISRAEL I wonder how many Catholics are familiar with the Shema—"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!" It is the centerpiece of Jewish prayer. It emphasizes that there is one God, and he is the only God. Added to it is the commandment to love God and to love one's neighbor. Today happens to be the eve of All Saints Day and our readings contain a "secret of holiness" for all of us who one day hope to be among the saints in glory.

FILLED WITH JOY It has been said that joy is an infallible sign of the presence of God. A thread of joy runs through today's liturgy. Jeremiah prophesies the joy of the exiles returning from their captivity in Babylon. The Responsorial, Psalm 126, also refers to the return of the exiles: "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy." And the gospel relates the joy of blind Bartimaeus as he receives his healing and follows Jesus.

A RANSOM FOR MANY "Jesus paid it all; all to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow." (“Jesus Paid it All” written in 1865 by Elvina M. Hall.) I love these lines from an old hymn which state succinctly the basic gospel message. Today we hear about the Suffering Servant—one of us as well as God's own Son—who came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.

PRICELESS! I remember a credit card commercial that would always end with that one word - priceless! We well know that there are some priceless and extremely valuable things that money just can't buy. Our Scriptures today point to wisdom as a priceless gift of God. The first reading describes the author's prayer for wisdom. The gospel relates the encounter of the rich man with Jesus, who is Incarnate Wisdom.

Today we hear about God's plan for marriage. From the first pages of Genesis to Jesus's words in the Gospel, God's original intention for marriage is revealed. With the multitude of conflicts and controversies swirling around us now, it is no secret that there is also much controversy regarding marriage and sexuality. Today the Church presents us with the light and truth of God's holy word in the midst of the darkness and confusion generated by the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

"I think it's a case of spiritual warfare," I remember saying to him. Years ago, I was discussing a difficult pastoral situation occurring in our youth group with one of the leaders of that ministry. As we continued to talk, the leader said to me, "I find it interesting that you look at this as spiritual warfare...I wouldn't have thought of that." And I remember answering him, "I tend to look at everything from the viewpoint of spiritual warfare!" Because I think I do. And I think that's really the only way to look at things.