June 10, 2009

Thursday June 11, 2009 0f the 10th week in Ordinary Time

Readings 2Corinthians 3: 15-4: 1, 3-6 Psalm 85: 9-14 Matthew 5: 20-26
Response: “The Glory of the Lord will dwell in our land”

In our reflections on some of Paul’s writings, it is suggested we discount the literal meaning and use the typological genre to understand its meaning. When Paul writes of “Moses’” writings, it was the tradition of the Jews of the time, the first five books of the Scripture, the Torah, were physically written by Moses. Historical studies place the actual writings during the time of the Exile in Babylon. They may have been in the tradition of Moses and his phrasing, but the actual inscriptions were by others who were adept to recalling, from memory, exact quotes from the oral tradition.
Typology presents a sense of placing the reader at the sight when the proclamations were first uttered.
The “veil” wasn’t a physical material but rather a muddling of the mind. Those of the disciples of Jesus and Paul were not left in the dark. Rather , they submitted their minds to the Spirit Who enabled them to make sense of remote passages while the unbeliever used his own uninfallible brain to attempt discernment.
When we refuse to listen to the Church’s wisdom in matters of Faith and Morals, we place ourselves on the slippery slope to perdition.
The varieties of creeds produced since the 15th Century is overt evidence of the folly created by individual minds unfurled in the gusts of dissent. Christianity has lost its way. Witness the growth of Islam where the same message prevails in most communities.
Hold on to your Faith!

If we are guided by the words and the response of the Psalm, we can expect the wisdom of God to penetrate our hearts and produce an abundance of faith. Prayer is the armor and the weapons we have in superiority to the false teaching surrounding our nation. However, we can’t wait for ‘John’ to do it. Join in!!

Christ’s advice to us follows on the heels of His beatitudes. Be keenly aware of your neighbor’s needs and provide when you can. The Commandments against our neighbor outline our obligations. However, don’t be a minimalist!
Hate is Murder!
Love of things is Adultery!
Coveting seeks another’s goods or physical intimacy!
Lust debases the Body of Christ!

God doesn’t discriminate; Neither should we!