June 10, 2018: Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person
“God shows forth his almighty power by converting us from our sins and restoring us to his friendship by grace…” (277) Catechism of the Catholic Church
Readings
First Reading: Genesis 3:9-15
Psalm: 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Second Reading: 2nd Corinthians 4:13-5:1
Gospel: Mark 3:20-35
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The harmony in which they had found themselves, thanks to original justice, is now destroyed: the control of the soul’s spiritual faculties over the body is shattered; the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions, their relations henceforth marked by lust and domination. Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and hostile to man. Because of man, creation is now subject “to its bondage to decay”. Finally, the consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: man will “return to the ground”,285 for out of it he was taken. Death makes its entrance into human history. (400) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
Genesis 3:12
At the root of personal and social divisions, which in differing degrees offend the value and dignity of the human person, there is a wound which is present in man’s inmost self. “In the light of faith we call it sin: beginning with original sin, which all of us bear from birth as an inheritance from our first parents, to the sin which each one of us commits when we abuse our own freedom”. The consequences of sin, insofar as it is an act of separation from God, are alienation, that is, the separation of man not only from God but also from himself, from other men and from the world around him. “Man’s rupture with God leads tragically to divisions between brothers. In the description of the ‘first sin’, the rupture with Yahweh simultaneously breaks the bond of friendship that had united the human family. Thus the subsequent pages of Genesis show us the man and the woman as it were pointing an accusing finger at each other (cf. Gen. 3:12). Later we have brother hating brother and finally taking his brother’s life (cf. Gen 4:2-16). According to the Babel story, the result of sin is the shattering of the human family, already begun with the first sin and now reaching its most extreme form on the social level”[225]. Reflecting on the mystery of sin, we cannot fail to take into consideration this tragic connection between cause and effect. (116)
2nd Corinthians 5:1-2
God’s promise and Jesus Christ’s resurrection raise in Christians the well-founded hope that a new and eternal dwelling place is prepared for every human person, a new earth where justice abides (cf. 2 Cor 5:1-2; 2 Pet 3:13). “Then, with death conquered, the children of God will be raised in Christ and what was sown in weakness and corruption will be clothed in incorruptibility: charity and its works will remain and all of creation, which God made for man, will be set free from its bondage to vanity”. This hope, rather than weaken, must instead strengthen concern for the work that is needed in the present reality. (56)
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
Who do we try to blame for our transgressions. We synthetically absolve ourselves by making another a scapegoat. An attempt to mitigate punishment and guilt by sliding the burden along. At the root of our manipulation lays fear. What will people say? What trouble will this cause? Instead, we should focus on the words of the Psalmist, “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.” Our fleeing, hiding or assuming a posture of pseudo innocence should give way to unflinchingly bare the nakedness of our soul before God. Realizing the Lord hears our contrite voice with attentive ears rendering forgiveness, He clothes us with grace. Fear evaporates as trust ground our soul in the Divine. Words inaudible, but more present than our physical surroundings. Redeeming words capable of moving us beyond any inequities to a place where we do not flee God, but scurry towards His loving embrace. A profound realization that our past does not define who we are today. For only in this precious moment of time ,with acknowledgement of our frailties, we resolve to absorb grace to fill empty crevasses of discontent, arrogance and fear. God desires to talk with us, calling to our attention the goodness of creation while we attempt to defile reality in our narrow perception of God. The defining foundational question rests in resolving do we believe and live like we are forgiven. Not a trick question or multiple choice, but either yes or no. To live with fear renders a NO, while letting mercy grasp the marrow of our being reverberates a resounding YES we speak in living affirmation with overflowing thanksgiving for the glory of God. Day by day, constantly renewing us to an eternal unseen reality. Some may view this as cavalier, a lack of serious piety or downright crazy, but God wills we seek forgiveness, the blessings of peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. For in doing the will of God, we are unified as the family of God.
Individual Reflection: Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Learn about the Forgiveness Project: https://www.theforgivenessproject.com
How can you encourage forgiveness in your community to mitigate the culture of violence and scapegoating??
Family Reflection: Mark 3:20-35
Learn about integrating Peace Builders into your school: http://www.peacebuilders.com
Prayer: Dialogue in prayer this week about TRUST
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.
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 May 30, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.