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Deuteronomy 26:4-10
The farmers of Israel were notorious for the
"Sunday with God, Monday with my buddies" syndrome.
On the Sabbath they would worship the God of Israel
at the Temple; during the week, they would offer personal
sacrifice to the fertility idols of their pagan neighbors.
Split loyalties meant shallow faith, or no faith at
all. The ceremony of the first fruits denied the fertility
idols of such an honor, it focused farmer's attention
on God's power, and it reminded the farmer of his humble
roots. Israeli patriotism was exercised as loyalty to
and humility before God.
Where place does humility have in our life,
our national pride, and in our faith?
Psalm 91
What does the word “sanctuary” mean to
you? Do you have a personal sanctuary?
Have you ever played “Hide n' Go Seek?” The
object of the game is to hide, avoid the person who
is “it,” and tag “home base.” Those who tag home base
will not become the next “it,” the person who tries
to foil the players who try to tag home base. Why is
home base so important? It is the “sanctuary” in the
game, it is the object of freedom from the consequences
of being caught.
Second Reading: Romans 10:8-13
There has always been a tension in Christian
spirituality between contemplation and social outreach,
between the growth in the inner life and duty to others
in the public realm. This tension can be expressed in
a question: Where do we see Christ? In the self? Or,
in others? St. Anthony, the father of monasticism, focused
on the former, Mother Theresa of Calcutta on the later.
Obviously, there is a continuum between intent and behavior,
between insight and duty. Most Christians move from
pole to the other throughout life. Paul argued for a
balance between the two.
How are we saved? Through the gift of faith
God gives us. We must always remember that faith involves
the whole of the person, not just one part or aspect.
Our job, as Christians, is to find balance between the
two.
Where do you see Christ right now? Within
yourself? Or, in another? Where do you see God calling
you to find Christ?
Gospel Luke 4:1-13
When is pride acceptable in others? When
is it unacceptable?
Pride. The source of healthy self-image? Or,
one of the deadly sins? Unlike the sense of morality
many post-moderns espouse, pride is never "relative."
It does not depend simply upon one's viewpoint. Pride
depends upon its direction. Pride is healthy when it
includes others. It is sinful when it excludes others.
The measure of pride remains the Great Commandment:
to love others as self (not more, not less).
Jesus faced a choice of pride. Was he to choose
for self? Or for others?
Catechism
Theme: The Proliferation of Sin (CCC 1865-1869)
What would have happened if Jesus gave
into the temptation in the desert? Sin would have
grown. And salvation would have been denied.
We face the type of choice Jesus faced.
Do we choose for God and others? Or, do we choose
for self? Both choices have effects. The choice
for self, sin, fuels the growth of vices (also
called the "deadly sins"): pride, avarice, envy,
wrath, sloth, lust, and gluttony. These attitudes
fan the flames of sin and help to destroy a sense
of morality on an individual and communal level.
Through our acts, our omissions, or our approval,
sin weaves its way into the structure of society.
Evil can grow beyond the power of the individual
to control it. At that point, we can speak of
social sin.
However, one choice for others can help
tear down social sin. One choice for good can
help change the world. The desert choice of Jesus
made that hope a reality. When he denied the devil's
sense of Messiah, he took one more step to reveal
himself as God's Messiah. And our Savior.
Have you ever seen personal sin grow,
like a disease? Have you ever seen sin stopped
by the choice of one person? What happened?
The choice lies before us. Do we choose
the self? Or others? Do we choose self pride?
Or, pride in others? Choosing the self points
toward a downfall. Choosing others eventually
chooses toward God.
Jesus had the same choice. Self or the
Other? Ultimately, he chose between what he could
have vs. what he could give. He chose to give.
He gave of himself so all could live. That is
the reason he is Lord. Not the mob, not military
power, not the following of the faithful. He is
Messiah because of his gift, his grace.
What can you give to others this
week? How can you set aside your pride for the
good of others? Choose one way and act on it.
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Larry Broding: A Lectionary
Resource for Catholics
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We
are a parish of the Catholic
Archdiocese of Melbourne. We are a highly diverse
multicultural community located in St Albans South (Melways map 26 C4)
