DISCOVERY: Ploughs May Be Changed, Just Keep Ploughing

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. 

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	Ps 16	Gal 5:1, 13-18	Lk 9:51-62
Whole Thrust	· 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.	·  A Golden Psalm of Trust. It begins with a prayer, implies trouble, abounds in confidence & closes with assurance as to ultimate safety & joy	· 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.	· To the friend of God: an orderly report of Jesus the Christ, of things long most surely believed, methodized to convey its certainty.
Subject Matter	·  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	· Crux: ’You are my God.’ The believer’s satisfaction  with only possessing who God is –Preserver, Potent, Provider.	· 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.	· Distractions to wholly obey call to discipleship - Fanatical zeal, Ethnic conflict, material security, parental duty, attachment, hesitation
Word Study	· 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	· 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.	·  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.	·  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.
Themes	· Divine direction/call · Firmness of purpose · Earthly labour advances Heavenly calling · Ploughing/Farewell feast · Obedient FAITH · From Comfort to Risk	· David writes of his Christ · Fenced & defended by Divine Providence · Risk & confidence · Service to God-HOPE ·  Allegiance & assurance	· 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	· Jesus’ Determination · A Spirit of bigotry · Sacred violence · Zeal & Submission · Poverty, Obedience, Chastity (single mind) · Hasty discipleship

Discovery: Outward Desolation Is Not the Absence of Divine Favour

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	Zec 12:10-11; 13:1	Ps 63:2-6, 8-9	Gal 3:26-29	Lk 9:18-24
Whole Thrust	· 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.	·  Individual lament of one in a life-threatening situation. King David in the wilderness of Judah fleeing for his life from Absalom his son.	· 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	· To Greeks: an orderly account to know the Truth. So as to choose  the fundamental orientation of their life.
World before text & after text	·  Jerusalem to become an instrument of judgement on her foes, followed by her repentance & being cleansed by a fountain from the house of David	· David worships in a hymn suited to his desolation. He seeks communion with Yahweh, shows trust & prophesies victory.	· 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.’	· Disciples report their power preaching & healing. Jesus shows power over bread &  professes his passion, then transfiguration.
PLACE STUDY	·  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"	· 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	· 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)	· 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
Themes	· Prophecy of Messiah’s passion · Conversion via Spirit of compassion & petition · Blest they who mourn · Idolatry—Insulting treatment, purification	· Desire mystical union · What to do in desolation · Desolation and Divine manifestation · Clinging to Yahweh · Setting prayer time	· Belonging in Christianity · The demands of Baptism · Racial, Status and Gender bias in Christian living · Erasing boundaries · Life in the Holy Spirit · Authentic teaching	· Jesus’ identity · Who the disciples preached · Divine inspiration · Cross in Christian life · Discipleship -General to personal belief