CATHOLIC READINGS: Twelfth
Sunday in Ordinary Time 2013
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God
“If you wish
to come after me…,” Jesus speaks in our Gospel today… five weeks after
Pentecost, how is your tongue of fire for your unique mission faring? Is it
still blazing? Has it multiplied or is it flickering, wavering and just about to
go out? To come after Jesus means to pursue your divine mission for that is exactly
all He did; that creative goal for which you were brought and uniquely
fashioned just as you are, strengths and weaknesses, into this world. Doing
this divine mission is more important than your physical life for it is
precisely your mission that gives value, security and meaning to your life. This
Sunday grants answers to the Where, What, How and Why of mission.
Where will I find my
mission? Zechariah’s oracle prophesies the coming of a messiah– an oiled/anointed
one- and his salvific mission. You will know your mission by being attentive to
Divine oracles in your life and the sign is that, it is accompanied by a spirit
of compassion and supplication. If you still unsure about your life’s purpose take
the day to flashback on inspirations/insights you received in any form of prayer;
which group of people do you always feel compassion for, whose plight makes you
mourn and stirs your bile? The poor, ignorant, children, orphans, young women,
adolescent males, struggling business persons, priests, religious sisters,
spouses, leaders of government, widows – it keeps occurring in key moments of
your life, you won’t miss it.
What is the key that ensures
success? What would you do if you knew you could not fail, in fact that you
would grab 100% success? Zechariah says mission will succeed via pain. Whenever
you begin to do what only you can comprehend, others get scared, threatened,
jealous, envious, perplexed for your sake, and then put you through hell in the
name of trying to help you back unto the right path of ‘the way of the crowd’ –
how things have always been done and what they have always meant. The good news
is that outward desolation is not the absence of divine favour; your fire may even
be gone, blown out, but your anointing is still present, active and alive. Thus
St Paul says the key to sure success is first: put on Christ by Baptism and receiving
the Holy Spirit and second:do away with mental barriers especially of race/tribe,
status and gender, whose biases impede your full investment in your mission.
How will you work out
your mission? The big picture is often clear but the day to day steps to
make it happen is hardly obvious. The psalmist’s hymn tells us that desolation
is a tool for continuous divine manifestation. Thus each time you face a cross,
go into prayer and lament your condition and the Trinity will provide help and
direction. The psalmist warns us to thirst in such prayer for the divine presence
and prophesy success, for in finding the Lord you find your highest good.
Why should you bother
about your mission? It is only when you are engaged in your mission via
whatever profession or vocation you choose that your life testifies to the
glory of Godde and who Jesus means/ is for you. The glory of Godde is the human
being fully alive. As you live your unique mission, it is no longer you but Christ
living in you, thus you give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to breathe life
into every human being who encounters you.
Hence Jesus says today “…take up your cross” and don’t shy
away because of threats against your life. Jesus is risen, mighty to save. Come
now, invite Jesus to awaken your courage again, as we pray together, My soul is
thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Be blessed and fired up! Amen
TexT
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Ps 63:2-6, 8-9
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Gal 3:26-29
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Lk 9:18-24
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Whole
Thrust
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· The temple is rebuilt. Jews await the Day of the Lord. A Conqueror is on rampage, fear looms. This Oracle says salvation will come via painful events.
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· Individual lament of one in a life-threatening situation. King David in the wilderness of Judah fleeing for his life from Absalom his son.
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· For Jewish converts (2:15)To counter an incitement to return to Jewish observances over being Spirit-led. Baptism eliminates race, status and gender prejudices
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· To Greeks: an orderly account to know the Truth. So as to choose the fundamental orientation of their life.
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World before text & after text
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· Jerusalem to become an instrument of judgement on her foes, followed by her repentance & being cleansed by a fountain from the house of David
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· David worships in a hymn suited to his desolation. He seeks communion with Yahweh, shows trust & prophesies victory.
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· Paul evokes their Baptism receiving the Holy Spirit. He interprets it in reading the OT. Law, prejudices & rules are meant to evolve into a ‘liberty of faith.’
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· Disciples report their power preaching & healing. Jesus shows power over bread & professes his passion, then transfiguration.
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PLACE
STUDY
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· Hadadrimmon: Kg Josiah, last hope, slain here; also two Syrian idols: Rimmon (2Kgs 5:18) Pomegranate, reproductive fertility; & Hadad, sun god, death celebrated yearly in loud frantic cries. Megiddo means "place of crowds"
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· Wilderness rkdm: dry & thirsty land not culti-vated & inhabited, with little vegetation used for pasture. They saw YHWH in wilderness : Hagar Gn 16:13-14. Moses Ex 3:1-4. Elijah. 1Ki 19:4-18. David
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· Abraham’s Descendants: Yahweh made a covenant to attach to Abram & Sarai to bless them and multiply their race, involving name change and promises. On their part, faith, obedience & circumcision –an oriental initiation rite to ensure fertility for men. (Gen 17)
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· Bethsaida Julias Lk9:10 after Julia, daughter of Augustus. House of fish -highly fertile East River Jordan. Native place of Peter, Andrew; Phillip & his 3 prophesying daughters. Caesarea Philippi was north of Bethsaida, many exquisite pagan temples
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Themes
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· Prophecy of Messiah’s passion
· Conversion via Spirit of compassion & petition
· Blest they who mourn
· Idolatry—Insulting treatment, purification
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· Desire mystical union
· What to do in desolation
· Desolation and Divine manifestation
· Clinging to Yahweh
· Setting prayer time
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· Belonging in Christianity
· The demands of Baptism
· Racial, Status and Gender bias in Christian living
· Erasing boundaries
· Life in the Holy Spirit
· Authentic teaching
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· Jesus’ identity
· Who the disciples preached
· Divine inspiration
· Cross in Christian life
· Discipleship -General to personal belief
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