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30 Oct 2011 - Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

THE MOON IS a far cry from the Sun in more ways than one. It is not a fiery orb that emits heat and light but a cold satellite that simply reflects the light it receives from elsewhere. That’s on one side, anyway. The other side is in shadow. That makes the Moon an apt metaphor for the religious person. We don’t generate truth, light, and love on our own but reflect what comes from God. Of ourselves we can do nothing. And whatever part of us fails to turn to God remains in darkness, hidden and dangerous. What happens if we make a pretense of our religious lives and do not genuinely turn any aspect of ourselves over to God? Ah, now we not only endanger ourselves but others as well. For those who are not yet religiously minded see our false emissions of truth and read them for honest ones. Now the darkness of the world becomes doubly dark. Those who have avowed themselves as religious people—by getting baptized, going to church, going through the motions of the spiritual life, identifying in public as Catholic, even hanging the rosary from the rearview mirror—are declaring in effect: This is what it means to follow Christ. Watch me. This is how it’s done. The responsibility for saying yes, yes, and doing no, no, is serious of course, as Jesus teaches elsewhere. How much more confusing is it for highly visible religious people—those in leadership roles—to present themselves as God’s representatives and then to fail to live up to their obligations? Today, on Priesthood Sunday, it’s worth considering these things. Bad religion is so much worse than no religion at all because of the damage it does, in effect, to God’s reputation. The prophet Malachi declares that God will make the blessing of a bad priest into a curse for the people. Honestly, God doesn’t have to. The curse is already on its way, as the last decade of suffering for the whole church has proved. The way to avert the curse and recover the blessing is to enter deeply and fervently into the spirit of humility. The humble will be exalted, Jesus promises—but let’s let God do the exalting, shall we, and work on the humble part ourselves. Today’s Psalm 131 is the perfect prayer for instilling the proper spirit. It’s also short and easy to memorize, which makes it a portable reminder when we’re tempted to arrogance. If we strive to be model Moons, reflecting the glow of divine love to those around us, we’ll join the ranks of the many lights who’ve gone before us and now wear that halo permanently. Related scripture links Advice for leaders: 1 Tim. 3:1-13, 4:6-16; Titus 1:5-9; James 4:6-10, 5:16; 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Imitate Paul as he does Christ: Gal. 4:12; Phil 3:17; 1 Thess.1:5-7; 2 Tim. 3:10-11 Humility is our model: 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Phil 2:3-11

Authors Alice Camille

religious people malachi psalm 131 following jesus Humility

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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

30 Oct 2011

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 The cheating of religious leaders does not go unnoticed—and unpunished. Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 A prideful spirit has no place in the sight of God but only does a humble heart. 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Gentleness, affection, and hard work are the three tools of the apostle’s trade. Matthew 23:1-12 Hypocrisy makes the good news of religion into a mockery.

Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Matthew 23:1-12

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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

05 Nov 2017

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 The cheating of religious leaders does not go unnoticed—and unpunished. Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 A prideful spirit has no place in the sight of God but only does a humble heart. 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Gentleness, affection, and hard work are the three tools of the apostle’s trade. Matthew 23:1-12 Hypocrisy makes the good news of religion into a mockery.

Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Matthew 23:1-12

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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

05 Nov 2023

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 The corrupt priests of post-exilic Israel are called on the carpet for failing in their obligations to God and the nation. Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 Those who grasp the spirit of humility rest sweetly like a child in the lap of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Early church missionaries did not abuse their position by insisting on the prerogatives of other wisdom teachers. Matthew 23:1-12 The trappings of authority are indeed a trap for those waccept the privileges of the role without living up to the responsibilities.

Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Matthew 23:1-12

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