St. Richard of Chichester Church
Stained Glass Windows
of the Four Evangelists

Breaking Open God's Word

Introduction

If you've ever had questions about what the Scripture Readings proclaimed at Mass on Sunday are saying or how they are relevant to your life today, then this is the resource for you! This webpage has been created in an effort to help those who peruse its contents to prepare for the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word.

Each week we will post a brief synopsis of the Sunday readings that will place the readings in their historical context, include insight into the message being proclaimed, its relevance to our lives today, and some reflection questions to ponder as you attempt to apply their message to your daily life. Due to copyright issues, we cannot post the actual readings on our website, but we have provided a hyperlink for each reading that will take you to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website where the readings are posted. Just hit your back button to return here to read the commentary.

You can also experience Breaking Open of God's Word in a group session on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the rectory. The benefit of the group discussion is that we can delve into more detail and can share multiple insights among the participants. Breaking Open God's Word sessions are free, so stop in whenever time allows to get the most out of the Sunday readings experience!

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, September 5, 2010

The First Reading

Wisdom 9:13-18b

Our first reading this week returns to the Book of Wisdom, which as you may recall was the last book written in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is not one of the books found in the current canon used by the Jews or by Protestants. This is due mainly to questions pertaining to its authorship. Solomon was originally credited with being its author, but many of the early Church Fathers questioned such authorship and modern biblical scholarship has definitively ruled out the possibility of his authorship, as they have dated the writing to around 60 BC, which is over 800 years after the time of Solomon.

Today's pericope deals with God's counsel. We struggle in our humanity to understand the will of God. We are distracted with earthly concerns. Furthermore, we cannot know heaven when we hardly have a grasp of all that is earthly. However, all hope is not lost on us. If we open ourselves up to the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow ourselves to feel and be filled with his presence, then we will begin to comprehend God's will for us. We cannot discern the ways of God without the Spirit's assistance for the Holy Spirit helps us to transcend our human existence thus reducing or even eliminating earthly distractions that cloud our understanding of God's counsel.

The good news for those baptized is that we have been given the gift of the Spirit through the life changing waters of baptism. God's Holy Spirit permeates every fiber of our being. The challenge to be open to the Spirit's guidance and wisdom remains, however. God's grace is necessary to rise to the challenge. Luck for us that gift too is given in baptism. In confirmation the effects of baptism are strengthened and the gifts we receive via confirmation help us to recognize and live God's will. That is their sole purpose. They help us to become like Christ. What we must keep in mind on our journey of faith is that what we learn must be allowed to impact how we live our lives. If it doesn't then we have not truly learned anything. That is the key to wisdom.

The Second Reading

Philemon 9-10, 12-17

This letter from Paul is the shortest in the New Testament. While it is merely more of a note than a letter, it was included in the canon of scripture because it serves as a wonderful example of Paul's constant command to love being placed into action. Philemon was a Christian who owned slaves. Onesimus was one of his slaves, but had runaway and sought out Paul. He converted to Christianity under Paul's tutelage and the two grew very close while Paul was imprisoned. However, Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon because he recognized Philemon's rights as a slave owner.

Paul realizes that he will never be able to put an end to slavery, but he can redefine it. Take note of what Paul writes in his letter in this regard. He is sending Onesimus back to Philemon as a brother, as someone freed in Christ who through baptism has become a brother in the Lord. It was the responsibility of all Christians to care for and look out for one another. It is Paul's hope that such recognition by Philemon will stay his hand with regard to punishing Onesimus for running away.

Paul also makes no effort to hide his desire for Philemon to return Onesimus to him so that the two may continue Paul's work to evangelize and spread the Gospel. Paul exhibits a great deal of wisdom in dealing with Philemon and hints that perhaps Onesimus' time away from Philemon is a part of God's will. So he urges Philemon to accept Onesimus, to forgive his transgression, and to love him as Philemon loved Paul. Philemon's ability to comply with Paul's request rests squarely upon how open he is to the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life and the Spirit's guidance.

The Gospel

Luke 14:25-33

This week's Gospel poses some difficult teachings regarding the cost of discipleship. Hating our father, mother, wife, children, and siblings seems contrary to Gospel values. That's because it is! Jesus is warning us that our relationships can become emotionally draining to the point that they inadvertently rob us of our ability to live according to the Gospel. Like the pericope from Wisdom exhorts, we often allow our minds to be weighed down with so many concerns that we fail to recognize, hear, and respond to God's call. Jesus cautions us to take measures to protect ourselves against such missteps. True discipleship requires commitment. Look at everything Christ gave up when he took up God's call. He gave up any chance at a normal life. He gave up family, career, marriage, and children so that he could devote himself to the will of God. Disciples follow in the footsteps of their esteemed leader. As disciples of Christ we must be prepared to answer God's call and to live God's will even at the expense of our own happiness, security, and family. No other response will do.

Is such a response achievable? Absolutely, for those who allow themselves to be filled with the Spirit and open to the Spirit's presence and guidance. Jesus knew that such a demand would be a challenge for his disciples. He knew the cost because he paid it himself. That is why he sent the Spirit to the disciples at Pentecost. He knew that they would need an advocate and guide to keep them right and true as they struggled to spread and live the gospel. And look at the effect that the Holy Spirit had on their lives. Prior to receiving the Spirit the disciples were timid and fearful. They remained in the upper room following Jesus' ascension, but once they received the Spirit they emerged from that upper room and never looked back, and with the exception of a few, all died to spread the word of God.

God must be our only true attachment in life, and for most of us, following the will of God will not require us to hate or abandon those we love, but like today's Gospel clearly demonstrates, our life must always be subordinate to the will of God. We cannot serve both God and mammon. God has given us his all and nothing less than a similar response will do for those who call themselves Christians.