OCP Cycle A 011308 SJ/3
My dear friends in the Spirit,
In today's readings we are reminded our our need to be church to one another. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the psalmist recognize the need for Social Justice, with particular focus on unjust imprisonment. Then we were treated to a beautiful rendition of the responsorial psalms, which was wonderfully representative of the fine liturgical music contained in the Oregon Catholic Press Breaking Bread Missal.
In the second reading, we hear Peter explain that we need to have World Government and that National Sovereignty is an outdated concept. Further, Peter points out that every nation is acceptable to the spirit.
Finally, in the Gospel, we see how Jesus was baptized by John, which is an allegory for the need for the laity to become more involved in the administration of the parish or faith community and the need to avoid clericalism.
Now, all of this was brought home to me in the last week [LOCAL CONTENT: ADVISE HOMILIST TO INSERT ANECDOTE CONCERNING PARISH EVENTS]. It was clear to me that every nation is acceptable to the spirit.
But, the spirit speaks to us in many ways. I was reminded of [LOCAL CONTENT: ADVISE HOMILIST TO INSERT ANECDOTE CONCERNING HIS OR HER FAMILY HISTORY]
So, my sisters and brothers and nonspecific gender metaphorical siblings, let us open our minds, and ears to the spirit, and find ways to put into practice the constant admonition to be good stewards of the earth, to be church to one another, to enact reform of our institutions, and to seek above all to bring the spirit into the dark places of our own hearts.
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9 comments:
I is gladd that evry body is acsptibl in the spryt,but wy kan't i com in onna counna me clotheses? thet oseepea guy won'tnt let mi in.
i went over tu thet otherer church an they letted mi in. an it wuz nise,an they sung prety.
an they sed u was a looney tuney hairry tick an not cathlick atall.
an the coffe had real milk steada powdered toefooey stuffs.
an the deekon didn'tsmake me. an the womyn wer nise to the men and din'tkiss each othrer at the sighn of piece.
Ignorant Redneck,
The people at that "other church" were just putting on a show to try to get you to come to their church. They aren't as welcoming as us, which means that they don't really care about you, like we do. All we ask for you to be church with us is that you dress, think, and act just like us. Is that so much to ask?
Peace out!
Seein as how I ain'tnt got no ther clothes cuz them peta girls burned 'em, an if I gotta think lik che, and the cute deacon girl hitss me onna hed, an y'all won'tnt let me in...
An the music is reel odd like hippies dowin blugrazz--
an it even luks likka church
an all thet,I' gowin bakta Holy Gohst--even ifn thay mak the father say hez from st luoisie by rittin stl affer his name.
I resent the comment about unjust imprisonment. All arrests here have been with reluctance and only in the case of last resort.
Agent Smith
I was visiting another parish this weekend. Amazed to see almost the same sermon verbatim... except the anecdotes were filled in.
Very, very, unsettling.
Miguel
Since the theme for Sunday (Baptism of the Lord) was the continued manifestation of Jesus that began a week earlier (Epiphany), it was good that the choir sang, "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise."
Before Mass, I looked at the lyrics in the OCP's "Breaking Bread" missal, to refresh my memory. I saw these words, which I remembered and liked: "Manifest at Jordan stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme."
But then I also saw a major typographical error in the final words of the refrain, so I had to really bellow to cover up everyone else who was singing the wrong words. They sang, "Praises be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest," so I had to holler, "Praises be to Thee addressed, God in Man made manifest" (just as the 19th-Century poet, Christopher Wordsworth, wrote it). After all, we know that Jesus was a man, not just "flesh." Also, it has a very pleasing alliteration -- the m's in "man," "made," and "manifest."
Carry on, folks.
Agent Jones
The Patriarchy just WANTS you to think that Jesus was a man.
PRAISE YEHUDA! SHE IS RISEN!!!!
No, Baby Doll Bernie. There's plenty of incontrovertible evidence in (inerrant) Scripture, confirmed by (the infallible) Apostolic Tradition and the magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church that Jesus was MALE. Just read the New Testament with an open mind, and you'll notice the proof.
And, Ruthie ... HIS Name is Yeshua (like Joshua), not Yehuda (Judah). You, as a "cohen" (Jewish word for "priest") ought to know that.
Agent Jones
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