30th Sunday - C (October 23, 2022)

 

Any Room Left for God?

Luke 18: 9-14

 

The Pharisee in this parable brags about his achievements and his self-righteousness.  He is certainly full of himself.

 

Consequently, he has no room for other people, not just the tax collector whom he despises. 

 

Neither does he have room for God since he thinks everything is his own achievement. 

 

On the contrary, the tax collector realizes that he has nothing.  Thus, he comes to the realization that he depends on God and God’s mercy. 

 

Let us thank God for giving us conscience, the ability to know our sins and our brokenness.  Conscience is indeed a gift from God.  If we are honest and humble, conscience helps us to know that we need God, and to grow in appreciation of God’s mercy.  

 

Image source: www.agnusday.org

30th Sunday - A (October 25, 2020)

 

Loving God in Loving Our Neighbor

Matthew 22: 34-40

 

Today’s Gospel comes from Matthew Chapter 22.  In this same chapter, last Sunday Jesus told us to “repay to God what belongs to God” (v. 21)

 

Perhaps that instruction gives me a reason to strive to love my neighbor.  My neighbor and I are both gifts from God.  It is God who has created us in God’s image and likeness.  We are redeemed by God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.  We are temples of the Holy Spirit.    

 

We do not always act or live as gifts from God, or as people redeemed by Christ.  We do not always reflect God’s image and likeness.  We do not always behave as temples of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Regardless, nothing could nullify the source of our existence, God.  Nothing can undo Christ’s redemption.  Nothing can destroy the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.        

 

When we love one another, we witness to the life, power and presence of God.  Likewise, we express our love and gratitude for God, our Creator and the Gift-giver.

 

 

Image source: www.agnusday.org

30th Sunday - C (October 27, 2019)

“Their Own Righteousness”

Luke 18: 9-14

“Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness.”

Most of us have probably found ourselves the Pharisee in this parable. 

He lists the good things that he has done.  And they are good. 

But we must know that when we rely solely on our own “righteousness,” sooner or later, we will fall.  Righteousness is God’s gracious gift.  It’s free, not earned.  God alone is righteous.  Our righteousness comes from God. 

Therefore, it is a mistake thinking that we can be righteous by our good deeds or achievements.  Our “own righteousness” could make us so proud that we think we have no need for God.  It could also throw us into despair when we realize that our achievements just won’t cut it.  

Image source: www.agnusday.org

30th Sunday - B (October 28, 2018)

“Have Pity on Me”

Mark 10:46-52

Two weeks ago, in Mark 10: 17-30, the man who “had many possessions” addressed Jesus only as “good teacher,” and asked him “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Last week, in Mark 10: 35-45, James and John also considered Jesus “teacher” and said to him, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

In today’s Gospel, the blind beggar Bartimaeus recognizes Jesus as “Jesus, Son of David” and “Master.”  He keeps calling out to Jesus, “Have pity on me.”

The blind man sees.  He gets it.  He knows who he is.  More significantly, he knows who Jesus is.  

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

30th Sunday - A (October 29, 2017)

Matthew 22: 34-40

Commentary

“Be Imitators of the Lord”

In the 2^nd reading, Paul instructs the Thessalonians, “You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.   And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers.” 

In other words, Paul summarizes the progression of the Christian life.   He and his companion imitated the Lord.  The Thessalonian Christians imitate them [1].  Those Christians then become the models for others to imitate. 

Then in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the program of the Christian life, the program that he is the ultimate model for us to imitate: the two-fold commandment of love. 

-------------------

[1] Similarly, he wrote to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).  

 

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

30th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 18: 9-14

Knowing Self and Knowing God

Last week, we reviewed the four types of verbal prayer (prayer of adoration and thanksgiving, of petition, of intercession, and of contrition).

Today, the Gospel offers us an example of a sinner who knows how to pray a prayer of contrition.  The tax collector knows himself and trusts in God’s goodness and mercy.  Thus, he is able to humbly ask for forgiveness. 

The Pharisee, on the contrary, misses the chance to offer a prayer of thanksgiving.  He has done all the right things, at least according to his list.  But he gives credit all to himself instead of to God.  In fact, he brags and puts himself above “the rest of humanity.”  He really does not know himself, nor does he know God.  Therefore, he fails.  

30th Sunday - C (October 23, 2016)

Readings

30th Sunday - B

Commentary

Mark 10: 46 – 52

Bartimaeus Follows Jesus on the Way

Last week, we listened to James and John asking Jesus for a favor. Today, we heard Bartimaeus' request.

Let's compare Bartimaeus with James and John.

James and John were among the first people Jesus called at the very beginning of his public ministry (Mark, Chapter 1). They are two of the Twelve, those closest to Jesus. Moreover, James and John, often with Peter, have the privilege of being with Jesus on very special occasions. For example, Jesus let them witness the Transfiguration (Mark, Chapter 8) and the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark, Chapter 5).

Bartimaeus, on the contrary, is a blind beggar. He is not even in the crowd following Jesus. He is nobody. And he has nothing. His sole possession seems to be the cloak, which he even “throws aside” when Jesus calls him.

These opposite background details provides a stark contrast between Bartimaeus and James and John.

James and John addresses Jesus simply as, “Teacher.” Bartimaeus acknowledges Jesus as the “Son of David” and “Master” (or “Lord” in some other translations.)

James and John approach Jesus and demand, ““Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

Bartimaeus is much humbler. He simply pleads with Jesus, “Have pity on me.”

James and John ask for places of honor and power, sitting at Jesus' right and left even though they have been told three times what awaits Jesus in Jerusalem. They are with Jesus, but they are not really following him.

James and John have eyes but they do not see.

Bartimaeus had no sight but he could see.

And once given sight, Bartimaeus is told “go your way.” However, he follows Jesus “on the way,” which is the way to Jerusalem [1], the way of humility and sacrifice, the way of loving service.

------------------

[1] In Mark, Jesus' enters Jerusalem immediately after this story of the healing of Bartimaeus. http://www.agnusday.org/comics/124/mark-1046-52-2006.

30th Sunday - B (October 25, 2015)

Readings

Image source: http://www.agnusday.org

30th Sunday - A

Commentary

Matthew 22:34-40

Love God First, or God Loves First

The order with which this Gospel passage is arranged for the Sunday Gospel might provide us one possible interpretation and lesson.

It is God who has given us all (last Sunday’s reminder of “giving to God what belongs to God.”).  Thus, even our ability to love comes from God. 

Consequently, when I love God, I just try to respond to the One who has loved me first, and without whom I would not even exist.

Then, I am called to love my neighbor, who like me, comes from God.  And like me, he belongs to God.  Moreover, I am called to see the neighbor as the gift of God’s love for me. 

In loving my neighbor, I again respond to God’s love with love.  

30th Sunday - A (October 26, 2014)

Readings

Image source: http://www.agnusday.org

(Note: the comic was inspired by Mark 12: 28-34, the parallel passage with this passage in Matthew 22: 34-40,).

30th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 18: 9 – 14

The Grace of Imperfection

The Pharisees does everything right.  And he knows that.

His problem is that he thinks he gets it all right.  Even the prayer is the words that “he speaks to himself.”  While he thank God with words, he takes all the credits for himself.

Consequently, he has no need for God.

The tax collector, on the contrary, is a sinner.  He knows and admits that.  He realizes that he cannot help himself.

In his emptiness, the tax collector leaves plenty of room for God and God’s mercy.

On our spiritual journey, imperfections and sins can be very frustrating.  Yet, the realization or awareness of them is a moment of grace.  In fact, it is the voice of God speaking in our conscience that leads us to the awareness sins, and consequently, our need for God.  However, that can only happen if we allow God to speak to us, and we allow ourselves to listen to God’s voice.  (In this sense, the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation begins even before the moment of confession).

Only when we are aware and accept that we are sinners that we can allow God’s mercy and grace to enter our hearts.

30th Sunday - C (October 27, 2013)

Readings

Image source:  http://www.agnusday.org