Daily HOMILY for September 10, 2018: Monday in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to listen

or click here if there is no triangle

Monday, September 10, 2018
Monday of the 23^rdWeek in Ordinary Time

PAUL’S APPROACH +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  St Paul is very angry w/ people at cty at Corinth

Ø  There is an outrageous case of sexual immorality there & P, in his upset, calls them to condemn this sin in no uncertain terms and to expel from the community the persons involved

Ø  P shows this approach on1 or 2 other times also

Ø  The problem is that it does not fully square with Jesus’ approach to similar matters in the gospels

JESUS’ APPROACH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Jesus teaches right from wrong, good from evil, but he never expels anyone

Ø  Instead, he himself gets expelled

Ø  And again, Jesus in contrast to Paul, never stops associating with anyone

Ø  Instead, he associates with those whom others were condemning

CONTRASTING THE TWO +++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  When we put P’s & J’s together —> conclusions

Ø  1^st, we do need to be clear about what we believe is right and wrong, good and evil

Ø  We need to do this in matters of sexuality, the sacredness of human life, social justice, or in things as simple as telling the truth and not lying

Ø  Need 2B forthright abt R moral belief/ teaching

Ø  2^nd, we are to judge actions or behaviors

Ø  We are to say that infidelity in marriage is wrong or taking the life of the unborn is wrong

Ø  And while we may judge these actions or behaviors, we are not to judge the persons

Ø  We’re not 2 say anyone is a bad or evil person

Ø  That is simply never ours to do

Ø  3^rd, we’re not 2 expel people from R community

Ø  Nor make them feel unwelcome or unwanted

Ø  Instead, we keep them connected with the community, trust their sincerity 

Ø  We’d also hold their being part of the community is the best way 4 them, as tis 4 us, to come more fully to the Lord and the Lord’s way

Ø  We are to trust both the Lord and the strength of the community enough to believe this.

CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Continued association with those with whom we disagree or with those whose behavior we do not approve was and is the way of Jesus

Ø  As you can see, Saint Paul got me thinking.

-->

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++