October 21, 2014

Oct. 21

October 21, 2014:  Tuesday, 29th week, Ordinary Time

  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  Christ is our peace (1st reading); God proclaims peace (psalm)
  • 'Stone' tie pin:  You're members of God's house, with Christ as capstone. (1st reading)
  • 'Musical notes' tie may not explicitly fit the readings, but my wife just found it for me at a thrift shop (where most of my stuff comes from).  I thought I might make the connection between [musical] harmony and peace (1st reading and canticle), but the music manuscript on the tie doesn't have any harmony...
Listen

Pope Francis homily

Pope Francis at daily Mass
The first service the Master performs for Christians is to give them an identity.  Christ came to give us citizenship, belonging, and a name, turning us into one by his blood.  When we're not in peace with others, there's a dividing wall, but Jesus offers to break it down.  If we're divided, we're enemies, not friends, but he's reconciled us all in God.  We've been changed from people on the street to fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.  We're to await Him, like servants their master.  If you close your door to Jesus, you don't let him go forward with his work of peace and community.  He gives us a name and makes us God's children.  We need to adopt an attitude of hope, knowing the Lord will come.  He must find us as friends living in peace, not divided.  How do I await Jesus?  Do I have faith he'll come?  Is my heart open?

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  • Eph 2:12-22  You were once without Christ, alienated from Israel, strangers to the covenants, without hope, and without God, but now in Christ you're near.  He broke down the dividing wall of enmity and established peace.  Through him we have access to the Father.  You're no longer strangers or sojourners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's house, with Christ as capstone.  Through him the structure is held together and you're being built into a dwelling place of God.
  • Ps 85:9ab-14  "The Lord speaks of peace to his people."  Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss; truth, justice, and salvation shall come.
  • Lk 12:35-38  “Be like servants awaiting their master’s return, ready to open when he knocks.  Blessed are they; the master will wait on them...
Reflect
    • Creighton:  We fast-paced people don't like to be told to be patient.  God has started tearing down walls that keep us apart.  Where have I experienced God recently?  What have been moments of joy and consolation, light and inspiration?  When have I felt the others' care and support of others?
    • One Bread One Body:  Jesus broke down the "dividing wall of enmity" (lit. "dividing wall of the barrier").  We all experience the pain of separation, e.g. troubled family relationships, prison, discrimination.  Bring the wall to Jesus who breaks walls down and is praying we become one.
      (Tee hee)
    • Passionist:  Paul recalls to the Ephesian converts their non-believing origins and their newfound unity with believers through Christ's death that eliminated the dividing wall.  The gospel, about the master returning to find his servants ready, is along the same lines:  despite the distance between master (center) and servants (margin), the master brings his servants into mainline household affairs and even waits on them, disregarding any wall of separation others honored.  Both changes arose from those at the center.
    • DailyScripture.net:   If Jesus knocked on your door today, would you be ready?  Servants had to recognize their master's voice and unlock the door; they needed to be attentive and block out distractions.  Jesus became a servant for our sake.  Do you listen for God's call?  We can miss his provision if we're distracted....
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