July 25, 2009

Saturday July 25, 2009
Readings: 2Cor. 4: 7-15 Psalm 126: 1-6 Matthew 20: 20-28
Psalm Response: “Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing”

Paul had a lot of success in Corinth. However, many false prophets kept insisting on their version of the truth. When one or more of Paul’s associates reported the fact of derision among the Corinthians, he was moved to write several letters to them. Two of which are included in the authorized Canon of the Bible.
Paul in his usual fashion is conciliatory to those who might have been swayed by these imposters.
Having experienced all the problems they could dream up, he urges them to be like him and deem them fruits of the Holy Spirit to buttress them when problems occur. He reminds them, by partaking in the Eucharist, they essentially become part of Christ, physically. Therefore, they may be maligned, beaten, persecuted and jailed but they have the promise of God their reward will be greater than any suffering they may incur for His sake.
It should be a great joy when we receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, to know God’s promise of eternal life doesn’t go away by persecution, malignment, and jail. These are just stumbling blocks projecting us closer to Christ and into His realm of eternal joy.

St. James, whose feast we celebrate today, was one of the Zebedee boys who’s mom thought she could gain a spot for them when Christ came into His kingdom. Since they were with Him from the beginning and were witnesses to His many miracles and His transfiguration, she thought they had earned a spot. She asked they be given the places on His right and left hand. This wasn’t a physical location but a synonym for the two closest to Him and His possible successors. They weren’t yet aware of His Divinity although they suspected He had Divine attributes. Only the Father has the foresight to know who will fill those spots and Christ, as His essence, has first call.
We can learn the humility necessary to be called to a position close to Christ. By ridding ourselves of self and concentrating on the others in our life, we become the example of the servant who will be first in line when the DAY comes for our fulfillment