Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Title

It Depends on Where One Looks

Outline

Is the Gospel, or a Word from God, good news?

It really depends on where one looks, on one’s perspective

In Jeremiah the “princes” heard the prophet’s words as support for the Babylonian invaders and treason to the people. They tried to kill him, slowly, by starvation.

Jeremiah was often depressed by his own words and the reaction to them. He did not see any good coming from them.

King Zedekiah was too weak politically and too much in fear to protect Jeremiah, although he did let his servant (Ebed-Melech) quietly do what could be done to save him.

No, the word of God was not good news to those whose eyes were on the people or on the politics of the time.

Jesus warns us that his teaching and presence will not be good news for many:

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Then he goes on to say, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” And the division is even within families - the effects of his message is not family friendly.

Perhaps you have experienced this within your family, perhaps your vocation was not good news to them. Perhaps if you are a convert you are continually dealing within your family or your former friends or associates. While my experience is not as extreme as that of many, I certainly was treading a tightrope a couple of weeks ago when I was with my family, trying to be a loving witness, but at the same time realizing that the family does not want to hear a clear word - yet needs the healing that the word would bring.

Perhaps that happens within the school where you teach, even though it is Catholic.

Jesus tells us that being faithful to him, even in the most loving way, will mean our suffering the same rejection he did.

Hebrews tells us that this is why we need to keep our eyes focused “above”

Keep focusing on the “great crowd of witnesses” - the saints - their reward and our fellowship with them

Live “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” That is one purpose of adoration.

Consider that “For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.”

What gives our life perspective and joy is above - it is Jesus, first of all, and Mary and the other saints, who suffered and were rejected as or worse than we are and who nevertheless entered the “joy set before them”

Sisters, this is nothing new to you, but reminders are always in order

Some versions of Christianity keep on saying that life in this world should be joy, joy, and victory. Perhaps with peace on earth now tossed in. That can get us depressed, can get us asking, what am I/we doing wrong.

But Jesus tells us that this world is conflict and rejection, although we will see some respond to the good news and word of God.

And Jesus tells us that there is joy, joy in our experience of him within, joy in out communion with the saints, and joy in our looking towards him and seeing his arms stretched out to receive us at the end of our race of life. But that only comes when we look above.

When I was with my family, I celebrated daily mass in my hotel room. It was a bit awkward, it took time, but it got my eyes in the right place so that I could live with joy within in the midst of a conflictual world.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 8-14-2022: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 38:4–6, 8–10

4 Then the princes said to the king, “This man ought to be put to death. He is weakening the resolve of the soldiers left in this city and of all the people, by saying such things to them; he is not seeking the welfare of our people, but their ruin.” 5 King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your hands,” for the king could do nothing with them. 6 And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, in the court of the guard, letting him down by rope. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

8 and Ebed-melech went there from the house of the king and said to him, 9 “My lord king, these men have done wrong in all their treatment of Jeremiah the prophet, throwing him into the cistern. He will starve to death on the spot, for there is no more bread in the city.” 10 Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: “Take three men with you, and get Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

Catholic Daily Readings 8-14-2022: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Psalm 40:14b

14 LORD, graciously rescue me!

Come quickly to help me, LORD!

PSALM

Psalm 40:2–4, 18

2 Surely, I wait for the LORD;

who bends down to me and hears my cry,

3 Draws me up from the pit of destruction,

out of the muddy clay,

Sets my feet upon rock,

steadies my steps,

4 And puts a new song in my mouth,

a hymn to our God.

Many shall look on in fear

and they shall trust in the LORD.

18 Though I am afflicted and poor,

my Lord keeps me in mind.

You are my help and deliverer;

my God, do not delay!

Catholic Daily Readings 8-14-2022: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND READING

Hebrews 12:1–4

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us 2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. 3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-14-2022: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

John 10:27

27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

GOSPEL

Luke 12:49–53

49 “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 8-14-2022: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2022 | ORDINARY TIME

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Vigil

First Reading Jeremiah 38:4–6, 8–10

Response Psalm 40:14b

Psalm Psalm 40:2–4, 18

Second Reading Hebrews 12:1–4

Gospel Acclamation John 10:27

Gospel Luke 12:49–53

GREEN