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Thank you for visiting. I hope you will enjoy the variety of topics to enhance your spiritual life. You can read them below or download them and read at your leisure. I have also added my Sunday Homilies.
CURRENT TOPICS: Notes for Presentation on Mary + God Is Beautiful + Hosea, The Unwanted Prophet+
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16th Sun OT – Luke 10:38-42
Martha and Mary
In Catholic Women Preach, Dr. Susan Fleming McGurgan who served as director of Lay Ecclesial Formation and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati for twenty-three years comments on today’s gospel, and writes, “Is this the narration of an event in the life of Jesus, presented as it happened, or is it, as scripture scholars Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza and Barbara Reid suggest, an incident that has been filtered, shifted, re-imagined, and shared through the lens of Luke’s early Christian community , a community that may have been struggling to discern and define and re-define women’s roles in leadership, study, and diakonia—service?
“(The word) can mean waiting upon, helping to support, doing the work, serving, preparation, it can mean many things—and, among them, ministry in the name of the Church.”
What certain words mean that are used for ecclesial titles, positions, etc., are especially important to us today, and diakonia is another. Dr. Susan continues. “Is it possible that Martha’s distress does not originate in cooking, cleaning, or being relegated to the kitchen, but in something deeper?” Martha’s state is typically translated as ‘distracted, overburdened, busy,’ but the verb also commonly means, ‘to be pulled or dragged away.’ Does Martha’s frustration emerge from pain over a pulling away or taking away of her place and role in ministry? Could this story reflect a post Resurrection struggle in the evangelist’s community over the proper ministerial roles for women—active or docile? Leader or passive listener?”
The author also asks, “Is this passage a remnant? A lingering memory from a community that tamed the diaconal ministry of women while advocating for a more traditional feminine role? Is Martha a cautionary tale for the overwhelmed? Or do we hear in her the anguished voice of a woman who sees her role and her ministerial responsibilities being pulled away, diminished, dismissed, and calling on her sister in ministry to come to her support? Is Mary the model of a cold disciple, claiming her space among the men, or is she a figure that illustrates the importance of women keeping silence?”
Like all the issues in the Church today, we continue to move forward, a little at a time, because changes do eventually come, even though the pace of the Church can be slower than a snail. For me the important point of the story is hospitality, as awe even read in the story of Abraham, that the three siblings, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, welcomed Jesus into their home. One commentator mentions that theirs was not a typical family dwelling. Three adult, unmarried siblings living together, because they were too poor to have separate dwellings? Could it be that Martha and Mary had decided to forgo marriage to care for a brother with special needs, or some mental disability? His neighbors many have avoided him; religious leaders may have regarded his condition as a punishment for sin; but Jesus loved him and called him a friend.
It is interesting in John’s gospel this episode is seen as a thanksgiving meal for Jesus’ healing of their brother Lazarus, even though the Jerusalem group plan on killing Jesus and Lazarus! This takes place after Mary anoints Jesus’ feet at Bethany.
“The Large crowd of the Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised form the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, (again).”
The word for love of a stranger in Greek is “xenia,” like the flower, love of stranger, as opposed to Philadelphia, city of brotherly love. Last Sunday, Jesus answered the Lawyer’s question, “What must I do to gain eternal life?” And Jesus answered, “Love God and your neighbor as yourself.” Add this to today’s gospel passage and the answer would be whoever we invite into our homes, especially strangers.
The first meeting places of the early Christians were in private homes. There deacons would imitate Martha, and Peter’s mother-in-law, in carrying out duties of service. The twelve in Acts complained that it was not right that they should neglect the Word of God in order to serve at table.” However, a balanced Christianity must combine the Samaritan’s practical compassion for the neighbor with Mary’s devotion to the Word.
What must we do to gain eternal life? We must love our neighbor as ourselves and serve the stranger with the energetic welcome that Abraham and Zacchaeus, and Dorothy Day showed us. Next week we will read in the Gospel our third answer to the question, “What must we do to gain eternal life?”
GOD IS BEAUTY – BEAUTY IS GOD
“Go Back To Where You Came From!”
“Go Back To Where You Came From!”
Amos, The Unwanted Prophet: Part Two
Amos alone among the prophets refers to Israel as “The House of Isaac.” He is also the only prophet who mentions the Yahweh shrine at Beersheba (to the South of Tekoa) which was founded by Isaac. Isaac was the father both of Jacob and Esau, forefather of the Edomites, and they in turn were semi-nomadic neighbors of the Tekoans to their immediate south. Amos may have had a special regard for these Edomite neighbors of his, perhaps even thinking of them as brothers. They were highly regarded in Old Testament times for their clan wisdom as were the Tekoans.
Seldom was a prophet so out of step with his times. Not since the days of King David had Israel been as powerful or prosperous as right then. King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel were the rulers at this time. More precisely, it was two years before a certain earthquake, which was dated to the year 760 on the basis of archaeological evidence from the north-Galilean city of Hazor. This would locate Amos in the middle years of the long, exceptionally prosperous reigns of these kings.
Miriam and Amos are again sitting in the shade at their favorite place in the cool of morning sun as it slowly lights up the view of the world below them. This is their favorite time of the day before any work begins to spend some time together if even for a few moments.
“I am sure you were too tired last night after your journey,” Miriam was anxious to ask, “but how was your trip?”
“It went well,” Amos began. “The only problem that each time I travel to Jerusalem, even for the celebrations, I come away angry at the haughty looks I get from the arrogant people that live there.”
“I am sure it is because those people don’t know what real work is like, except for the poor laborers that slave for them,” Miriam tried to soothe him, since he seemed more irritated this time.
“I have no problem with how I look, but I am sure my mannerisms and even my attitude causes me to stand out,” Amos said a little irritated. “But what always gets to me is their attitude, like Jerusalem is God’s chosen city and King David his special chosen dynasty!”
“Well, I can sympathize with you,” she said.
“But what really irks me is all those senseless sacrifice of animals!” he almost spit it out.
Now Miriam has realized what really bothers him. “I know what you mean, Amos,” Miriam again tries to consol him. “But my worry is how will they receive you when you get to Bethel in the Northern Kingdom and give them Yahweh’s warning?”
“It will not be with open arms of love,” Amos replied a little sarcastic. “But I do have a plan how to deliver the message. And once I am done then I can wash my hands of them and their abominable temples and sacrilegious practices.”
Miriam said a little worried, “Just take care of yourself, Amos. When are you planning on leaving?”
“Shortly,” Amos replied, “after I get some rest. I am thinking of taking Joshua with me.”
“He is old enough to travel and it would be a great experience for him,” she said. “Do you think it will be safe for you both?”
“Yes. Normally I would not be certain, except…” Amos paused, “Yahweh promised my safety!”
Miriam reflected for a moment, somewhat surprised. “Amos, I have the feeling that Yahweh really needs you to deliver his message.”
Amos only answers, “God does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. If they do not listen, then God acts.”
Miriam can only shudder what the Lord God Yahweh will do.
Go Back To Where You Came From pt 2
Go Back To Where You Came From pt 1