Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - Catholic readings
Our gospel today opens with Jesus’ determination- he set his face towards Jerusalem, towards his death and resolutely took the path. I have been worried by Jesus’ words “Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” I have been worried about what this might mean for students who drop out of school; spouses who throw in the towel; religious and priests who have taken spouses; Catholics who have left the church; people who have changed life-giving professions for one that puts food on the table. I have been worried for those who suffer and continue to endure violence that dehumanises them in religious, celibate, widowed and marital vocations for fear that leaving may mean they are looking back and not trusting Godde thereby not fit for the kingdom. Does Jesus sanction submission to battery, rape, deprivation, oppressive tradition, tribal discrimination and so on just so you can prove you are determined to keep ploughing? Scriptural interpretation challenges you and I to prayer and the Lectionary arrangement offers guidelines to arrive at meaning.
First clue. Our first reading depicts Elisha ploughing with 12 yoke of Oxen and being with the 12th when the divine call comes to him. There are several ploughs with which you may work out your salvation. To change plough is not the same as holding a plough and constantly looking back-slacking- nor is it a lack of trust in the power, provision and preservation of Godde. To change plough does not make you unfit for the Kingdom. Sometimes ploughs breakdown and can be fixed, sometimes the terrain changes and plough does not suffice; at other times plough breaks down beyond repair and it is necessary to obtain a new plough.
Second clue. The psalmist blesses the Lord who even at night – in distress, in difficulty, in danger, in disadvantage, offers counsel and guidance that keeps one’s determination. You must have confidence in the direction of the Holy Spirit whose thoughts are beyond our thoughts and whose ways are beyond our ways. Mother Theresa was called to leave her religious convent for a life with the poor in India; Ignatius of Loyola was called away from defending his country to spreading the gospel; Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake judged by the Catholic inquisition but 50 years later she was canonised a Catholic Saint; Fr Martin Luther’s protestant revolution earned him excommunication but later it will pave the road for the life-giving updates by the Vatican II council.
Third clue. Paul teaches that Christ needs us to remain free and not become slaves to Law. The Sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the Sabbath; the sacraments too especially Matrimony and Holy Orders were instituted for humans and not humans for the sacraments. When persons with whom you engaged the path of life exhibit licentious liberty, such is against the Christian spirit and must be resisted. The commitment to love your neighbour must follow that you love yourself, enough to keep away from people & places that lead you to sin, that constantly provoke you to behave contrary to the Holy Spirit's ways.
Fourth Clue. Jesus rebukes the disciple’s suggestion to call down fire on the Samaritans like Elijah had done. Over zealousness results in destroying others’ lives and leads oneself finally to burnout. So what did Jesus mean? Jesus saves lives, Jesus does not destroy life. Jesus rebuked them for they had not understood that Jesus will never sanction any action or state of living that destroys human life. You may live a difficult and distressing situation which nevertheless does not destroy your life, Jesus says keep ploughing, your investment will yield fruit. Unmerited suffering is redemptive. But where your life or that of young ones under your care is being destroyed; or where living out your divine call of love and service to others is being made impossible, please change your plough.
First clue. Our first reading depicts Elisha ploughing with 12 yoke of Oxen and being with the 12th when the divine call comes to him. There are several ploughs with which you may work out your salvation. To change plough is not the same as holding a plough and constantly looking back-slacking- nor is it a lack of trust in the power, provision and preservation of Godde. To change plough does not make you unfit for the Kingdom. Sometimes ploughs breakdown and can be fixed, sometimes the terrain changes and plough does not suffice; at other times plough breaks down beyond repair and it is necessary to obtain a new plough.
Second clue. The psalmist blesses the Lord who even at night – in distress, in difficulty, in danger, in disadvantage, offers counsel and guidance that keeps one’s determination. You must have confidence in the direction of the Holy Spirit whose thoughts are beyond our thoughts and whose ways are beyond our ways. Mother Theresa was called to leave her religious convent for a life with the poor in India; Ignatius of Loyola was called away from defending his country to spreading the gospel; Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake judged by the Catholic inquisition but 50 years later she was canonised a Catholic Saint; Fr Martin Luther’s protestant revolution earned him excommunication but later it will pave the road for the life-giving updates by the Vatican II council.
Third clue. Paul teaches that Christ needs us to remain free and not become slaves to Law. The Sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the Sabbath; the sacraments too especially Matrimony and Holy Orders were instituted for humans and not humans for the sacraments. When persons with whom you engaged the path of life exhibit licentious liberty, such is against the Christian spirit and must be resisted. The commitment to love your neighbour must follow that you love yourself, enough to keep away from people & places that lead you to sin, that constantly provoke you to behave contrary to the Holy Spirit's ways.
Fourth Clue. Jesus rebukes the disciple’s suggestion to call down fire on the Samaritans like Elijah had done. Over zealousness results in destroying others’ lives and leads oneself finally to burnout. So what did Jesus mean? Jesus saves lives, Jesus does not destroy life. Jesus rebuked them for they had not understood that Jesus will never sanction any action or state of living that destroys human life. You may live a difficult and distressing situation which nevertheless does not destroy your life, Jesus says keep ploughing, your investment will yield fruit. Unmerited suffering is redemptive. But where your life or that of young ones under your care is being destroyed; or where living out your divine call of love and service to others is being made impossible, please change your plough.
Is this not a license for divorce, lack of perseverance, bad choices, a cross-less Christ, prosperity gospel, carefree living and avoidance of responsibility? NO! For to the one who seeks to serve the kingdom of Godde, these are works of the flesh and have no place in a life guided by the Spirit. The challenge today is to radical commitment and unwavering confidence in Jesus that His invitation always leads to the fullness of life. The secret to success is to fix our eyes and ears on Jesus and say with the psalmist ‘O Lord it is you who are my portion’. Be blessed and fired up as you believe! Amen
T
1Kgs 19:16;19-21
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Ps 16
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Gal 5:1, 13-18
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Lk 9:51-62
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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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· A Golden Psalm of Trust. It begins with a prayer, implies trouble, abounds in confidence & closes with assurance as to ultimate safety & joy
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· To refute Judaizing teachers who tried to return converts to the bondage of the Law. Paul showed how contrary their principles & spirit were to the spirit of the gospel.
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· To the friend of God: an orderly report of Jesus the Christ, of things long most surely believed, methodized to convey its certainty.
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Subject Matter
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· For Despair of success, Elijah flees for his life from Jezebel’s threats. He loses trust in divine preservation, feeding & power he enjoyed. He is told to name successor
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· Crux: ’You are my God.’ The believer’s satisfaction with only possessing who God is –Preserver, Potent, Provider.
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· Paul applying his discourse, instructs on how to stay free in the liberty Christ won. Practical Godliness—Love & Service - keeps free. Freedom is not a ticket for decadence.
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· Distractions to wholly obey call to discipleship - Fanatical zeal, Ethnic conflict, material security, parental duty, attachment, hesitation
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Word Study
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· Elisha—God his salvation Elijah–My God is Yahweh. “Cast his mantle upon him” - Take under one’s care & tuition; investiture with prophetic office as Sufis & Brahmins; to be clothed with the spirit of Elijah; to be one under same cloth
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· A Miktam of David: most probably a simple derivative of a word signifying to hide, and indicates a depth of doctrinal and spiritual secrets or mysteries that reveal the path of life/the fullness of joy.
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· Giving occasion to the flesh -To indulge in any corrupt affections & practices as create disaffection & distance with ground for quarrels and contentions amongst people
· Guided by the Spirit - to act influenced by grace; converse on spiritual things; commit to the guidance of the word; depend on divine aid.
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· Preach the Kingdom - to cause to dominate in souls that whose origin, spirit, means, & ends are spiritual & heavenly
by one’s life choices
· To put hand to plough -Ploughing is for sowing; Divine comfort is only sown when the soul’s ‘ground’ is broken up.
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Themes
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· Divine direction/call
· Firmness of purpose
· Earthly labour advances Heavenly calling
· Ploughing/Farewell feast
· Obedient FAITH
· From Comfort to Risk
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· David writes of his Christ
· Fenced & defended by Divine Providence
· Risk & confidence
· Service to God-HOPE
· Allegiance & assurance
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· LOVE is The Only Law
· Struggle of flesh & spirit
· Freedom from sin, implies Freedom for love
· Licentious Liberty versus Christian liberty
· Love of Self (amour-propre) basis for love of neighbour
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· Jesus’ Determination
· A Spirit of bigotry
· Sacred violence
· Zeal & Submission
· Poverty, Obedience, Chastity (single mind)
· Hasty discipleship
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