Weekly Reflection

- Weekly Reflection from Father Patrick
  
  26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
  "I repeat that the temptations of jealousy, desperation, discouragement, distrust, etc., are works of the devil." St. Padre Pio
  
  In today’s first reading, the book of Exodus reminds us that the Spirit of God acts freely through any person and is unconfined within any boundary. In the second reading, St James urges the rich not to pile up wealth by exploiting their workers and ignoring the needs of the poor. And in the gospel, Jesus nourishes us spiritually on how to conduct ourselves by avoiding inimical acts that impair our relationships with him.
  
  This week, we reflect on the theme of jealousy that is prominent in the first and the gospel readings. In the first reading, Moses gathered in the tent, where he met with God, seventy men to receive the Spirit of God. Two of the elected men, Eldad and Medad, were missing at the tent's ceremony. These two also received the Spirit and began to prophesy in the camp. At this, an embarrassing confusion ensued. The people wondered how the two absentees received the same gift from God without being among the elect. Joshua, one of those who received the gift of God, turned to Moses, asking him to prevent Eldad and Medad from prophesying. Moses replied, "are you jealous?" I wish all the people received the Spirit and were prophets.
  
  Similarly, in the gospel reading, the disciples, according to John, were offended and stopped someone they found driving out demons in the name of Jesus. To this, Jesus responded by asking them not to restrain him, for "there is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us."
  
  We learn three things from the vice of jealousy, which is both a sin against God and humanity:
  Jealousy makes us feel uncomfortable to ask for help when inundated with our tasks because we are obsessed and threatened by the talents of others.
  Jealousy deters us from recognizing we are mere servants like others and deceives us into the error that we are better than others.
  It breeds unhealthy rivalry.
  
  Let us be open to the gifts and inputs of others in the church and society at large by tolerating and appreciating them.
  
  Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2539: - Envy is a capital sin. It refers to the sadness at the sight of another's goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself, even unjustly. When it wishes grave harm to a neighbor it is a mortal sin: St. Augustine saw envy as "the diabolical sin." "From envy are born hatred, detraction, calumny, joy caused by the misfortune of a neighbor, and displeasure caused by his prosperity."
- Weekly Reflection Archive
  
  25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
  
  “Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must its foundation.” St. Augustine
  
  In today’s first reading, the Book of Wisdom characterizes the tension between the godless and the pious. In the second reading, St. James teaches that those who cultivate peace find the fruit of righteousness sown in it. And in the gospel reading, Jesus uses the example of a child to teach about greatness.
  
  Every human being naturally strives for greatness. Thus, it was not strange to read the apostles quarrel among themselves about greatness. Interestingly, the desire for greatness is often contextualized as various conceptions of what it means to be great determine the target. Prominent among the criteria for greatness are power, popularity, achievement, wealth, and authority. Also, some share that to be great is synonymous with being at the top of the social stratification. If the apostles are desirous about greatness like any other person, what does it mean to be great?
  
  Today’s gospel enlightens us on the Christian standard and the real meaning of greatness. Jesus says humility is the hallmark of greatness. In the world’s view of greatness, this is absurd because humility does not fit into the criteria of greatness. According to Jesus, greatness is the readiness to serve. The Catholic Church demonstrates the words of Jesus perfectly well in the person of her leader. One of the titles of our Holy Father is “the servant of the servants of God.” Non-Catholics acknowledge the Pope as the number one Catholic and the Catholics recognize him as the Supreme Pontiff. But in the true meaning of his position, he is called to serve the universal Church. He stands in the person of Jesus among us who came to serve and not to be served.
  
  Finally, do you still aspire to be great? Then learn from the humility and innocence of the child as recommended by Jesus. Be ready to serve selflessly, for in humility is found greatness in the sight of God.
  
  Catechism of the Catholic Church
  CCC 786:- Finally, the People of God shares in the royal office of Christ. He exercises his kingship by drawing all men to himself through his death and Resurrection. Christ, King and Lord of the universe, made himself the servant of all, for he came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." For the Christian, "to reign is to serve him," particularly when serving "the poor and the suffering, in whom the Church recognizes the image of her poor and suffering founder." The People of God fulfills its royal dignity by a life in keeping with its vocation to serve with Christ. The sign of the cross makes kings of all those reborn in Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit consecrates them as priests, so that, apart from the particular service of our ministry, all spiritual and rational Christians are recognized as members of this royal race and sharers in Christ's priestly office. What, indeed, is as royal for a soul as to govern the body in obedience to God? And what is as priestly as to dedicate a pure conscience to the Lord and to offer the spotless offerings of devotion on the altar of the heart?
- Year A - Matthew's Gospel