Two Scriptural meditations. Lectionary #444 and 445.

Here are the continuous readings for Sept. 15th and 16th reflections. Due
to the Feasts these had to be done today.

Scripture: Lectionary #444. Sept. 15, Tue of 24th week. I Timothy 3:1-13.
Psalm 101:1-2.2-3.5.6. Luke 7:11-17.

I Timothy is written near the end of the first century. It is written in
the tradition of St. Paul with many of his thoughts but the content shows
us that the early house communities are now becoming churches and even have
certain offices or roles within them. Bishops and deacons are mentioned
and a list of required virtues and appropriate behavior is put to the one
who aspires to these leadership roles within the church. Bishops are the
overseers (Episcopoi) and the deacons are those who serve both the poor and
minister to the people (diakonoi). This letter is probably written around
85-90 A.D. and attests to the growth of the early Christian communities.
Paul's spirit is contained within them. The church is at peace and we do
not sense any outside persecutions against it at this time.

However, in the Gospel we go back to the time of Jesus and see him
fulfilling his inaugural address when he used the text of Isaiah to speak
of his mission and how he would accomplish the will of the Father. Here the
restoration of a dead son to his mother is evidence that he is fulfilling
what he said in the synagogue earlier. His concern for widow is not only
an act of compassion but one that is directed to a poor person who would
have no way of providing for herself. His mission is both personal and
communitarian. The narrative helps us to have trust that Jesus will help
us in times of our mourning of deceased relatives, parents, and friends.
There is need for this for some pastors say that they have over five
hundred funerals a year even though they minister to small churches. The
widow from Naim which is not far from Jesus' hometown had faith in the
person of Jesus and Jesus knew this upon seeing her near the stretcher of
her son. He touches the stretcher and tells the young man to get up. This
"getting up" is also a word used for rising from the dead. Thus the
narrative also touches us in our time. We who trust and hope in Jesus do so
because of our belief in the resurrection of the body and soul as Jesus
did. We like the woman of Naim need the person of Jesus in our life to
continue to believe in life after death and to have the consolation of the
Shepherd of souls helping us to continue on while never losing hope. Amen.

Scripture: Lectionary # 445. Wed. of 24th week. I Timothy 3:14-16. Psalm
111:1-2.3-4.5-6. Luke 7: 31-35.

Both Saint Paul and the Psalmist are atuned to the greatness of God in
their life. They profess and thank God through their words and through the
singing of the psalm in the Temple by the psalmist. They are people of
wisdom and experience who know that God is their life-giver and their
redeemer. Thanksgiving is part of their daily prayers.
However, in the Gospel, Jesus is showing us that some people are so
stubborn and closed to the greatness of God that they act like children who
refuse to play with their friends who have some sense of what it means to
enjoy one anothers presence even at play. Jesus' example is aimed at
those who refuse to accept John the Baptist as a prophet and an ascetic and
to welcome Jesus as a friend; they rather judge him to be a pal of sinners
and a drinker! Unwise as they are, they are not intune with the game of
life that Jesus wants them to enter and play.

Jesus uses such down to earth examples that ring true so that we will be
able to understand his messages to us about the best things in life. We
often want to play our own games and walk away from those which are more
pleasing to the Lord. We need to be atuned to the voice of Jesus and to
drown out the clamor and din that surrounds us. Perhaps, we need to be
less selfish and join in with others. Or we have to see that there are
other ways of looking at things than our own fixed ways. We are encouraged
to come to our senses by observing Paul and listening to the psalmist's
words, "How great are the works of the Lord. I will give thanks with all my
heart in the company and assembly of the just." From Paul we are able to
learn the mystery of our faith and trust in Jesus and to profess it as he
does in today's reading: "Jesus was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by
the Spirit. Seen by the angels and preached among the gentiles." Amen.