Ordinary Time

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

In the second creation account no animal was found fit to serve as a suitable partner for the human being. The word for partner (’ezer) denotes a source of blessing after some kind of deliverance. It is not good that the human creature be alone, but the other animals are not suitable partners, so God creates the woman. The detail that she was built from one of the man’s ribs stems from an ancient source in which the word for “woman of life,” comes from the same root word as “woman of the rib.” Since she is united to him in “bone and flesh,” a typical way of expressing comprehensiveness, the man now has a suitable partner. Jesus’ solidarity with the rest of the human family is outlined in the second reading. While in his human nature, Jesus shared the status that human beings enjoyed. However, assuming human nature was for him a humbling experience. In accepting the human condition, he emptied himself of his divine privileges, and if this were not humbling enough, he did so in order to empty himself radically in death for the sake of us all, thus reconciling the human race with God. Jesus’ self-emptying death shows that he is not ashamed of the human nature that he shares with all humanity.

The Pharisees test Jesus with a question about divorce. They were probably probing to see if Jesus would disagree with Moses, who allowed it. They challenge Jesus: Is divorce ever acceptable? If so, on what grounds? Jesus does not undermine the authority of Moses, but he points out its concession to human weakness. He insists that in God’s original design the couple become one flesh and should not be separated. Jesus’ teaching does not make the demands of marriage easier, but it does place the marriage partners on an equal footing. Speaking of the reign of God, he states that one can only enter it with the unpretentiousness of children.

Jan 30 2025

Extending Boundaries

Close ties can enrich life, whether due to blood, loyalty, or faith in God. However, any close tie can become overly exclusive. “She won’t fit into our family.” “He’s not for our group.” This also happens in God’s family. People want to draw lines, decide who is “in,” who is “out.” God doesn’t work that way.

Today we have Joshua upset that the spirit of Moses has been given to two men who weren’t at the appointed place at the appointed time. Moses, who knows what it means to be both “in” and “out,” has the wisdom to know that God will give the spirit to whomever God wishes. Moses was about extending boundaries.

The apostle John notices a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name. “We tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” “Us?” Jesus asks. “Us? Who decides who drives out demons? No one who performs a deed in my name can speak ill of me. Whoever is not against us is for us.” Jesus was about extending boundaries.

Human boundaries don’t fence in the Holy Spirit. God’s open arms extend beyond our imaginations. Isaiah sings, “All the tribes shall go up to worship the Lord. All nations shall stream to God’s holy mountain.”

So stretch out your hands in generosity. Give drinks of water to whoever thirsts. Protect the little ones. The only restrictions concern whatever causes you to sin and lose the kingdom. Otherwise, expect God to work in unexpected places, in unexpected people, in unexpected ways.

Consider/Discuss

Have you ever been surprised by God working in someone, some place, in an unexpected way?
Jesus’ words about giving scandal are to be taken very seriously. Do they speak to your life in any way?

Responding to the Word

Lord, help us recognize the working of your Spirit in our world. May we see your hand in anything done to liberate others from oppression and to bring peace and reconciliation. Never let us bring any of your little ones to harm. And give true contrition to those who have caused others harm.

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

Moses is portrayed as a prophet, a spokesperson of God. The spirit of prophecy that was upon him was bestowed as well on some elders so that the burden of prophecy would not be so heavy on his own shoulders. Despite the fact that Eldad and Medad had been preordained to receive the spirit, Joshua felt that their absence from the group disqualified them. Moses questioned the sharpness of Joshua’s opposition. Was he concerned with probity or was he protecting the privilege that official prophesying often brought with it? Moses believed that the work of God took precedence over the institutional ordering of the community.

According to James, the wealthy have foolishly and ravenously hoarded the treasures of the earth. They have been busy accruing money rather than sharing it with the poor, and this selfish attitude will be a testimony against them. Some of the rich have even gained their wealth at the expense of those in their employ. Such victimization is particularly loathsome in Israel, since the very event that shaped them into a people was their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The author depicts the unscrupulous people foolishly enjoying their wealth and comfort, oblivious of the fact that they are really being fattened for the day of slaughter, the impending day of judgment.

The Gospel reading is a collection of pronouncements of Jesus on the topics of acceptance, hospitality, and scandal. Jesus authenticates the right of a man to cast out demons. It is important that the work of the reign of God be done; it is not important who does it. Jesus justifies all works of mercy that are performed in his name. He then warns against giving scandal. Those who cause others to sin will be severely punished. Jesus instructs his disciples to take even drastic means if necessary as a precaution against falling into sin. Nothing should jeopardize the possibility of enjoying life in the reign of God.

Jan 30 2025

Continuing Ed

The disciples may have been a bit slow to understand how Jesus was redefining the Messiah he was going to be, but they were not stupid on all accounts. They picked up on the reaction Peter got when he rebuked Jesus for talking about suffering rejection and death. So, when Jesus brought up the subject for a second time in today’s Gospel, they just listened politely, then dropped back out of earshot and changed the subject to a more pleasant one: themselves— and who was the greatest.

Things must have gotten quite animated because when they got home, Jesus asked about it. Their silence surely disappointed him, since he could surmise what had engaged them. But like a good teacher, he tries another way to make his point. There must have been a child nearby, because he calls her over and places his arms protectively around her, and says to them, “If you want to be first, then be last. If you want to be in charge, then serve. When you take in the least, you take in not only me but my Father.” Class dismissed.

It has proven a hard lesson to learn. Or maybe few of us really want to learn it. When you look out at the world, most seem to want to be first, the greatest, the one with the most and best toys, a wielder of power and influence and authority. Choosing to serve the least doesn’t make the top ten on most people’s “to do” list.

Consider/Discuss

What area(s) of your life does this Gospel direct you to consider?
What do you find most difficult about Jesus’ call to be “the last of all and the servant of all”?

Responding to the Word

Lord, help us to follow your call by serving the “little ones,” especially those more likely to be subject to the cruelty and indifference of the world. Sustain us in this work with the assurance that when we receive them, we receive not only you but the One who sent you.

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

The ungodly speak in this passage from Wisdom. They conspire to assault the righteous one who has become a living reproach to them. Three matters in particular plague them. This honorable person stands in opposition to the wrong doings of the wicked; he denounces them for their sin; and he accuses them of not being faithful to their upbringing. The mistreatment that is being planned is extreme, even fatal. The righteous one, described as gentle and patient, is now an innocent victim of the evildoers’ resentment. The reading ends on a note of apprehension. Will the righteous one succumb to the persecution of the wicked? Or will God intervene on behalf of this just person?

Two styles of behavior are described in the Letter of James. Foolishness shows itself in various forms of social unrest—jealousy, selfish ambition, etc. A life motivated by wisdom generates harmony and peace, which give birth to all of the manifestations of love. While wisdom is generally thought to proceed from reflection on experience, it is also believed to be a gift from God. It is this latter dimension of wisdom that James addresses. The wisdom of which he speaks is pure, totally committed to what pertains to God; it is peaceable, drawing the members of the community together in unity; it is fruitful, producing good works in abundance.

Identifying himself as the mysterious Son of Man who comes on the clouds to announce the end of one age and the beginning of the other, Jesus tells his closest associates that he will be handed over and killed, but that he will rise from the dead after three days. It is not surprising that the disciples do not understand. What is surprising is their competitiveness. Without reprimanding them, Jesus seizes the moment to teach an important lesson. He insists that, following his example, those who hold the highest positions within the community must be willing to take the lowest place.