31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Mal 1:14b--2:2b, 8-10
Ps 131:1, 2, 3
1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13
Mt 23:1-12
Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the “Sunday Soundbite” for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Today’s Gospel has created a certain amount of extra work for me over the past few years. I’ve answered e-mails from people writing in to our Internet and radio question and answer service about the famous passage: “Call no one on earth your father.” Based on this Gospel text, people want to know why Catholic priests like myself seem to violate Jesus’ words on a daily basis by being called “Father.”
Of course, I can remind them, we priests aren’t alone in this, since most of our dads are also apparent offenders against this text—although that point rarely comes up from the questioner. But the broader meaning of today’s Gospel passage is a teaching of Christ which we in Church authority have sometimes violated. Jesus condemns those who do not practice what they preach; who allow titles and the power they imply to become the focus; who forget that service in love is what leaders in the community must embody.
To bring home Jesus’ point, in today’s first reading the prophet Malachi warns the priests of his time: Keep the focus on our common Father, the one who has created us. Good advice for all Christians—but especially for the “Fathers” in our midst who’ve been given that title in Church service. With Jesus, with the prophet, and with those good folks who continue to ask me about my title—I hope I can hear the challenge!
Scripture:
•Has not the one God created us? (Malachi 2:10)
•I do not busy myself with great matters, nor with things too sublime for me. (Psalm 131:1b)
•…we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well…. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
•The greatest among you must be your servant. (Matthew 23:11)
Reflection:
•In your world view, is the most gifted the servant? If not, why not?
•What occupies your time? Consider the difference between the “great” and “sublime.” What is left?
•If you share the Gospel, do you share yourself?
•Looking at the peoples, wars and disparity of material possessions, is it truly possible that “one God created us”?
His soul melted at the sight of the poor and the infirm, and to those to whom he could not extend a helping hand he extended his affection.
Ps 131:1, 2, 3
1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13
Mt 23:1-12
Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the “Sunday Soundbite” for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Today’s Gospel has created a certain amount of extra work for me over the past few years. I’ve answered e-mails from people writing in to our Internet and radio question and answer service about the famous passage: “Call no one on earth your father.” Based on this Gospel text, people want to know why Catholic priests like myself seem to violate Jesus’ words on a daily basis by being called “Father.”
Of course, I can remind them, we priests aren’t alone in this, since most of our dads are also apparent offenders against this text—although that point rarely comes up from the questioner. But the broader meaning of today’s Gospel passage is a teaching of Christ which we in Church authority have sometimes violated. Jesus condemns those who do not practice what they preach; who allow titles and the power they imply to become the focus; who forget that service in love is what leaders in the community must embody.
To bring home Jesus’ point, in today’s first reading the prophet Malachi warns the priests of his time: Keep the focus on our common Father, the one who has created us. Good advice for all Christians—but especially for the “Fathers” in our midst who’ve been given that title in Church service. With Jesus, with the prophet, and with those good folks who continue to ask me about my title—I hope I can hear the challenge!
Scripture:
•Has not the one God created us? (Malachi 2:10)
•I do not busy myself with great matters, nor with things too sublime for me. (Psalm 131:1b)
•…we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well…. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
•The greatest among you must be your servant. (Matthew 23:11)
Reflection:
•In your world view, is the most gifted the servant? If not, why not?
•What occupies your time? Consider the difference between the “great” and “sublime.” What is left?
•If you share the Gospel, do you share yourself?
•Looking at the peoples, wars and disparity of material possessions, is it truly possible that “one God created us”?
His soul melted at the sight of the poor and the infirm, and to those to whom he could not extend a helping hand he extended his affection.
posted by See Tho Zhang Jacob at
10:30 PM
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