Ordinary Time

Jan 14 2025

Words to Build a Life On

The poet Anne Sexton once wrote that words may be both daisies and bruises. We live in a time when words seem to wound and divide people more than heal and unite them. Whether in the realm of politics or religion, words have become weapons more often than bridges to understanding and cooperation. But we are a people who over the centuries have been formed by the word of God in both the Old and New Testament.

Both Moses and Jesus knew the power of words that have taken root in the human heart and carry over into action. In the book of Deuteronomy Moses gives his final speech to the people he has led out of bondage and brought to the border of the Promised Land. He calls them not only to wear these words on their body as emblems of faith, but to “take these words of mine into your heart and soul” (Deuteronomy 11:18).

Jesus begins by saying that words alone are not enough; what matters in the end is doing the will of the Father. And what is the Father’s will? Go back and read the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 — 7:29). The call to live in a way that brings the law of Moses to fulfillment is to be heard, taken to heart, and carried into action. The instruction given to the disciples remains an urgent command to bring about the kingdom of heaven now. Jesus’ words will be a sturdy shelter that protects them when battering storms threaten to overwhelm.

Consider/Discuss

Take some time to reread the Sermon on the Mount.

Which of Jesus’ words do you find most challenging?
Which do you feel are particularly addressed to you at this time of your life?
Is there a word that you are hearing for the first time?

Responding to the Word

We pray that our lives will have a strong foundation on the teachings of Jesus. We pray that his words will be seeds that bear fruit in lives of justice, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. We ask that these words find a home in our heart and soul.

Jan 14 2025

Scripture Study for

Today Moses directs the people to commit themselves totally to God. The blessings promised for fidelity include numerous progeny and a good name, abundant crops and a multitude of flocks, peace and security from enemies. Curses include childlessness and premature death, family illness and diseased flocks, pestilence and drought, defeat by another nation and devastation of the land. The words Moses delivers are to be bound on their wrists and displayed as a pendant on their foreheads. This custom identified them as observant members of the covenant community and reminded them of their responsibility to commit themselves mind and heart to the covenant.

Contrary to what some have contended, Paul does not pit righteousness against the law. He insists that the Romans must conform to certain Christian principles. Nonetheless, he argues that adherence to the law does not produce righteousness. Only faith yields righteousness. According to Paul, all have sinned, and so all are in need of redemption. However, redemption and justification are received, not earned, and they are received precisely while one is a sinner. Furthermore, justification is given gratuitously, freely, without cause. God accomplishes this through the blood of Christ. Thus, by its very name, grace is an undeserved gift.

Jesus teaches that the disciples’ service must be grounded in solid commitment to him. Not signs of respect, forms of religiosity, or spectacular deeds, but adherence to his words is essential for entrance into the reign of heaven. Discipleship requires a life of righteousness, not merely charismatic activities. In order to illustrate this point, Jesus contrasts the way of the wise with the way of the foolish. The wise build the house on the solid ground of Jesus’ words, while the fool’s house is constructed on sand. The implications of Jesus’ words are quite clear. In order to be his disciples, people must follow Jesus’ instructions carefully and faithfully. Those who do will be invited into the reign of God. Those who do not will be denied entry.

Jan 14 2025

God Is Trustworthy

I am writing this in the aftermath of the earthquake that shattered Haiti. The devastation has been beyond words. Newspapers and telecasts were filled with pictures of the dead and heart-breaking stories. As of this writing over 150,000 are presumed dead—perhaps many more—and thousands upon thousands are wounded. There is little food, water, or shelter, and few medical supplies. Yet even in the face of this tragic event, an evening news program two nights after the earthquake had footage of a large group in Port au Prince lifting their voices and hands in prayer, praising God.

This radical faith in God is what Jesus calls his disciples to have. The Father did not intervene to save his Son from death, but neither did he allow death to have the final word. He raised his Son from the dead. This saving death has remained the sign above all signs that God wills us to have eternal life. It can seem impossible at times not to worry about tomorrow. But Jesus assures us that the Father does not abandon us—ever!

We are all called to be stewards of the mysteries of the faith that is centered in the person and saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are to hand on what has been handed down to us: that Jesus is God’s only Son, who suffered and died and was raised for our salvation, and by our baptism we are brought into this mystery of living, dying, and rising in Christ.

Consider/Discuss

Has your faith in God’s care been tested?
How do you respond to Jesus’ words about God as a loving father and to Isaiah’s words about God as a loving mother?
Do you need to ask God to restore your trust in God?

Responding to the Word

Today’s psalm response is a wonderful prayer of the heart to carry through the week: “Rest in God alone, my soul” (Psalm 62:6a). We can pray with the psalmist that we find our peace in God who is our rock and our salvation, our stronghold. Let us trust in God at all times and pour out our hearts to our loving God.

Jan 14 2025

Scripture Study for

The metaphor that Isaiah uses to characterize the love that God has for the people is extraordinary. It compares this love to the relationship between a mother and the nursing child of her womb. Such a metaphor could have been considered presumptuous had it not been placed by the prophet in the mouth of God. It is improbable, though possible, that a woman would forget the child of her flesh. However, God will never forget this people. Therefore, though Zion may feel abandoned and forgotten, it is only a feeling; it is not a fact. God’s attachment to the people will never be severed.

Paul speaks about ministerial accountability and judgment. Stewards were responsible for the goods of the household of another. Paul claims that as such a steward he is indeed trustworthy. He has committed himself wholeheartedly to the proclamation of the gospel, to the distribution of the mysteries of God, and he stands by this claim regardless of what others might think. Acknowledging that he is obliged to give an account of his stewardship, he insists that it is the Lord who will be his judge. Such judgment is bound to be much more demanding than mere human judgment. Human beings can be wrong, but the Lord knows the motives of the heart.

Jesus is not naive about the human need for food and clothing and shelter and material support. Nor does he advocate passivity or laziness in the face of hard work. He is talking about setting one’s priorities straight, appreciating humankind’s place in the natural world, trusting in the goodness and providence of God. He uses two examples from nature to demonstrate what he means: God’s care for birds and God’s artistry in clothing the lilies. The point of this teaching is confidence in God. People prone to anxiety need to be reminded that they are precious in God’s eyes and they must learn to trust in God’s providence.

Jan 14 2025

Being Holy

A 2006 movie called Love, Actually has one of the best openings in recent years. It begins with two young people running toward each other and falling into each other’s arms, kissing joyfully. Then you see a mother being hugged by her two little girls, then two older women, perhaps sisters, embracing. As these scenes give way to others, you become aware all this takes place in an airport at the arrivals gate. Accompanying these images is a voiceover.

Whenever he feels down about the condition of the world, the speaker goes to the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport in London. Despite the fact that there is so much hatred and greed in the world, he says, Heathrow is one place where things seem different. At Heathrow love is everywhere.

All the while you hear this voice, you are watching people rush into each other’s arms. For a full minute you see the world as a welcoming, warm, loving place. You know it’s something of a set-up because who goes to meet people at airports other than family, good friends, people in a loving relationship? But isn’t this God’s plan for the world, what God wants most from us: love God; love one another.

The voiceover concludes by noting that right before the planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City, all the calls that went out were messages of love. People chose to have their final words be professions of love. Making that choice on a daily basis is what makes us perfect—that is, full-grown, complete, holy.

Consider/Discuss

Do you accept Jesus’ idea of what it means to be “perfect”?
If there is someone who has given me reason not to love them, can I pray for them?

Responding to the Word

We pray to God to continue to pour the Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we can love with God’s own love, when our own ability to love fails us. We pray that we can grow into that full maturity that we see in Jesus, who prayed for his enemies from the cross.