21st Sunday, Ordinary Time, August 27, 2006

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-2a. 15-17, 18b. Psalm 34. Ephesians 5:21-32. John 6:60-69

Semper fidelis! (Always faithful, always trustworthy). I saw this on a bumper sticker the other day and it made me think about the Boy Scouts of America who have this as their motto. Then as I read the readings for this Sunday I realized that this also is consonant with the message of the Scriptures for today. Joshua first expresses this in his personal and faithful covnenant with God and then the people follow the good example and desire of their leader so they too profess a covenant with God. Almost all of chapter 24 in Joshua is covenant theology and spirituality. Joshua takes his covenant with God seriously and as a good a couragesou leader who has his priorities right, his people then follow him with their own affirmation of Israel's covenant with God. "We will do all that the Lord tells us." In other words, they are saying they will be "semper fidelis."

The beautiful selection from Ephesians sees the relationship of Jesus to the Church as reflected in the sacrament of matrimony and the fidelity and love that are present in a wholesome marriage. The marriage covenant thus is one of the greatest images of relationship seen in Christ's love for the Church and the Church's love for him. When we think of this, this means that for most people in the world, the union of a husband and wife is a reflection of the great mystery of Christ's love for the Church. Religious, priests, brothers, and sisters are definitely a minority in the world but they too are espoused to God through the Church. Perhaps, their calling is more seen in the sacrament of Baptism. Religious life is often called a second baptism. All Christians receive Baptism which is the beginning of our entering into the sacramental life of the Church which are the organic and spiritual continuation of our union with the Lord.

Today we are led to pray with St. Peter and the disciples who remained faithful to the Lord as he was proclaiming the Sacrament of the Eucharist: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:69).