Saint Charles Borromeo Bishop Year 1 2023

Title

Has God rejected his people?

Outline

It often looks as if God has rejected his people

It certainly did in the first century, when the leadership of the Jews, both Sadducean and Pharisaic, rejected Jesus and then the nascent Church in favor of a nationalistic Judaism that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the loss of about half the population of Palestine, and the rejection of Judaism in the Diaspora.

It looked like that in the 400’s as the heretical or non-Christian peoples of the north invaded Rome, Spain, and North Africa.

It looked like that in the 1500’s as the Reformation became a political cause that swept Northern Europe, England, and other areas out of the Church and threatened to infect areas south of the Alps, which corruption was rife in the areas in which the Church still held sway.

And it may be looking like that today as the Western hegemony on power and culture seems to be breaking apart, with faith being on the decline within the West, and the USA being more focused on political ideology then on orthodox faith and perhaps being on the verge of breaking into semi-feudal areas.

Paul rejects the concept of rejection

First, it is inconsistent with God’s promises and character. Second, it is inconsistent with his actions in the history of Israel. Third, it is inconsistent with the fact that Paul, from the historical Israel and part of the Pharisaic establishment had become a leader in the renewed Israel, the Church.

His point is that the seeming rejection had a wider purpose, that of bringing in the “full number of the Gentiles,” the renewed Israel. There may be many, perhaps most, of the “natural branches” of the people of God that were and had been cut off as dead, but a vast number of Gentiles was being grafted in. And eventually God would bring a revival to natural Israel. If we are still waiting it is because God is still bringing in the the Gentiles, that is, most of us.

But who does God choose for his work?

As Jesus points out in his parable, God’s favor is with the humble, those who are happy to be at the table and place themselves in the lowest place. It is to these that he says, “Come up higher.”

In our day it is the megachurch pastors and high flying political leaders and the well-heeled that God seems to be sending lower, if not casting out altogether (to cite other parables).

It was a Paul, who left his honorable place and took shameful treatment, whom God used to spearhead the mission to the Gentiles.

It was Augustine, who left his social aspirations at his conversion and wanted only to be a monk, whom God used to stabilize the Church and the role of Rome in the 400’s.

It was Charles Borromeo, who was well-born indeed, but who humbled himself in many ways, including spending his fortune to care for the poor and the sick, whom God used to implement the reforms of the Council of Trent down to reforming both Rome and Milan, and who died relatively young as a result. Of course, as a former seminary teacher, I am impressed with his inventing seminaries in order to have a clergy that actually knew and lived the faith.

“When metaphysics is lost we are left with politics” - quoted by Scott Hahn

So what about us?

God has not forsaken his people, either those belonging to the old Israel or the renewed Israel. Nations may crash, Western civilization may fall. But we trust, not in the USA or Western culture or anything else than God and his promises. We can relax in Him.

Yet, if we are humble enough, if we would choose the lowest place and only go higher at his instruction, if we are happy with being despised for him, if we can be as satisfied with little as with much, we may be those he uses to bring about his renewal - but we will not care, for we only have eyes for Him.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 11-4-2023: Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

FIRST READING

Romans 11:1–2a, 11–12, 25–29

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

11 Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number.

25 I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise [in] your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, 26 and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The deliverer will come out of Zion,

he will turn away godlessness from Jacob;

27 and this is my covenant with them

when I take away their sins.”

28 In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. 29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

Catholic Daily Readings 11-4-2023: Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

RESPONSE

Psalm 94:14a

14 For the LORD will not forsake his people,

nor abandon his inheritance.

PSALM

Psalm 94:12–13a, 14–15, 17–18

12 Blessed the one whom you guide, LORD,

whom you teach by your instruction,

13 To give rest from evil days,

while a pit is being dug for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not forsake his people,

nor abandon his inheritance.

15 Judgment shall again be just,

and all the upright of heart will follow it.

17 If the LORD were not my help,

I would long have been silent in the grave.

18 When I say, “My foot is slipping,”

your mercy, LORD, holds me up.

Catholic Daily Readings 11-4-2023: Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 11:29ab

29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

GOSPEL

Luke 14:1, 7–11

1 On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

7 He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, 9 and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. 10 Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 11-4-2023: Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023 | MEMORIAL

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO, BISHOP

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

From Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading Romans 11:1–2a, 11–12, 25–29

Response Psalm 94:14a

Psalm Psalm 94:12–13a, 14–15, 17–18

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:29ab

Gospel Luke 14:1, 7–11