October 9, 2022: Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity
In this month of the rosary, reflect on Pope Paul VI’s thoughts on peace and the rosary from 1969: https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/r/rosary-for-peace.php
Readings:
First Reading: 2nd Kings 5:14-17
Psalm: 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
Second Reading: 2nd Timothy 2:8-13
Gospel Acclamation: 1st Thessalonians 5:18:
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church which, in celebrating the Eucharist, reveals and becomes more fully what she is. Indeed, in the work of salvation, Christ sets creation free from sin and death to consecrate it anew and make it return to the Father, for his glory. The thanksgiving of the members of the Body participates in that of their Head. (2637) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time , Cycle C
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No references this week
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
Being outcasts united the lepers, the un’s, as in unclean. Samaritans and Galileans did not mingle, had separate villages, but this adversity bonded them together. When people approached them, protocol dictated lepers had to announce their unclean nature. But they realized the approaching traveler’s credentials, in calling Jesus by name and acknowledging Him as Master, unlike a salutation acclaimed in the normalcy of their daily existence. Not with a whimper of hesitation, but raised voices they chorused in asking the Lord to have pity on them. Coming closer, Jesus exhorted them to show themselves to the priests, as prescribed in Hebrew custom. In that essence of action, the momentum of motion to not vacillate on what Jesus said, but act on His word, the ten received a physical cleansing of their skin abnormalities. One leper, in his elation, changed his trajectory to return offering praise of thanksgiving in a loud voice and fell at the Lord’s feet in homage. Beyond physical healing, a spiritual transformation occurred, Giving Jesus the opportunity to witness He came not to just save a chosen few, but a salvation of universality to all, especially those who felt outcast, marginalized, the un’s of any dimension, even the ostracized Samaritans. And a reminder to us today, that we must not predicate the words of Jesus with limitations, but the breadth of God’s love. Something Elisha, the prophet imparted on Naaman, a foreign Syrian general who turned from the tools and spoils of war, to humbly submit his affliction to the physically meager appearing waters of the Jordan. A cleansing of his skin, but also his soul in acclaiming there is no other God in all the earth. Elisha, as a messenger of the Divine love, in humility would not accept a gift from Naaman for his healing, for the true source of transformation was from God. When we grasp the Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power, we can cease analyzing who should be allowed in the Church, welcomed at a parish to qualify as a child of God and instead be like Elisha, following the message of Jesus and live like there are no parameters to God’s mercy. His love we should foster in the whole world, with inclusion of all people. To take voice like Elisha, who didn’t just talk with kin and country persons, but anyone God placed in his path, even an opposing general. Anything else creates un’s. We should stand in solidarity with un’s to erase their stigmas, which in solidarity are our stigmas too, so they need not announce themselves as outcasts, but part of the family of God. The word of God must not be contorted to chain us to a legalistic expression of faith. For the obsession with the law of though shall not freezes our spiritual imagination on what we should not do, where faith allows us to live in the kingdom of God enflamed by the Spirit. A perseverance to act not hampered by fear, as modeled for us in salvation history. Liberation from chains of oppression clanking derogatory paradigms to humbly realize we must sing to the Lord a new song for His wondrous deeds revealing His justice to all the earth.
Individual Reflection: 2nd Timothy 2:8-13
October 15th is the feast day of St Teresa of Avila. Watch Dr James Finley’s Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle – An Experiential Introduction, a YouTube June 18, 2015 video. Also, a series of podcasts on social justice and Teresa of Avila hosted by the Center for Action and Contemplation: https://cac.org/podcasts/the-mystics-and-social-justice/
Family Reflection: 1st Thessalonians 5:18
Plan for a sustainable Halloween: https://terrathread.com/blogs/news/tips-for-green-halloween
Purchase fair trade chocolate: https://www.uucpa.org/byo-halloween-fair-trade-chocolate/
Prayer: Pax Christi USA offers the following prayer for Indigenous Peoples’ Day,, October 10th, and the lingering consequences of the Doctrine of Discovery
A Litany for Those not Ready for Healing
By Dr Yolanda Pierce
Let us not rush to the language of healing, before understanding the fullness of the injury and the depth of the wound.
Let us not rush to offer a bandaid, when the gaping wound requires surgery and complete reconstruction.
Let us not offer false equivalencies, thereby diminishing the particular pain being felt in a particular circumstance in a particular historical moment.
Let us not speak of reconciliation without speaking of reparations and restoration, or how we can repair the breach and how we can restore the loss.
Let us not rush past the loss of this mother’s child, this father’s child…someone’s beloved son.
Let us not value property over people; let us not protect material objects while human lives hang in the balance.
Let us not value a false peace over a righteous justice.
Let us not be afraid to sit with the ugliness, the messiness, and the pain that is life in community together.
Let us not offer clichés to the grieving, those whose hearts are being torn asunder.
Instead…
Let us mourn black and brown men and women, those killed extrajudicially every 28 hours.
Let us lament the loss of a teenager, dead at the hands of a police officer who described him as a demon.
Let us weep at a criminal justice system, which is neither blind nor just.
Let us call for the mourning men and the wailing women, those willing to rend their garments of privilege and ease, and sit in the ashes of this nation’s original sin.
Let us be silent when we don’t know what to say.
Let us be humble and listen to the pain, rage, and grief pouring from the lips of our neighbors and friends.
Let us decrease, so that our brothers and sisters who live on the underside of history may increase.
Let us pray with our eyes open and our feet firmly planted on the ground.
Let us listen to the shattering glass and let us smell the purifying fires, for it is the language of the unheard.
God, in your mercy…
show me my own complicity in injustice.
Convict me for my indifference.
Forgive me when I have remained silent.
Equip me with a zeal for righteousness.
Never let me grow accustomed or acclimated to unrighteousness.
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
Link: https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born October 12 2022 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.