Friday, September 27, 2013

Daily HOMILY for September 24, 2013: Tuesday of 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

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Tuesday 25th Week of Ordinary Time
St. Luke’s Institute
September 24, 2013
LOOKING W/ 2 LENSES +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  Another brief scene from Luke’s Gospel gives us a glimpse into the constitution of new communities
Ø  I invite you to employ a double lens of viewing material
Ø  One lens set on the life and ministry of Jesus and a second lens several decades later as the young communities are establishing themselves amid various circumstances
LENS OF JESUS’ DAY ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  Luke describes the mother and brothers of Jesus – we can say his blood kin – as approaching decisively with one point of view or framing assumption
Ø  Namely, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.”
Ø  We then hear Jesus challenge them with another perspective
Ø  Namely, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
LENS OF SEVERAL DECADES LATER ++++++++++++++++
Ø  What’s clear from this lens IS that the old ties of kinship are not enough – being mother or brother, insider with some apparently obvious credential for access or status
Ø  What’s clear from this lens is that the criterion that matters and is available to any and all is the hearing and the doing
Ø  The biblical language for “hearing and doing” is “heeding” – that is, hearing and doing the word of God
NO ONE EXCLUDED ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  This double-lens viewing has far-reaching implications
Ø  No one is excluded who approaches from the hearing-and-doing-God’s-word portal or gateway
Ø  And no one has special access because of blood line, status, ordination, age, money, or intelligence
Ø  It’s a level playing field and all are invited to hear and to heed
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  The previous parables may suggest that some of the kin have not been listening well
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