May 24, Monday in Ordinary Time 2010 and a past homily added Lectionary #347 and #300 (May 20).

Scripture: Mon.Ordinary Time, Year 2. Lectionary #347. I Peter 1:3-9.
Psalm 111:1-2,5-6.9.10. Mark 10:17-27.

Ordinary liturgical time begins with readings from I Peter and St. Mark's
Gospel. We are rather startled that the Easter season has ended with just
one day dedicated to the Solemnity of Pentecost. Easter is past and so is
the birth of the Church at Pentecost. We are back in the ordinary routine
of our liturgical life, but it is rewarding. Our readings are very helpful
for the transition we are experiencing. Transitions are progressive and
dynamic and that is the experience we have from these two readings.

First, from Peter's baptismal homily or epistle we have the theme of our
own baptism in Christ and the great hope it brings us. The opening of the
letter is affectionate and confirming that we are in conformity with Christ
through the Paschal Mysteries that are symbolized in our Baptism and our
Confirmation. Thus we have not let go of Pentecost but have geared it
toward our "ordinary" time and its experiences and responsibilities.

We always hear the living voice of God in both the Old Testament readings
and those from the New Testament. The Scriptures are revelatory and
sacramental in their development in our lives. Surely we learn much from
them but it is more important to listen to the living voice of our God and
his Son Jesus Christ.
As we hear from the first letter of Peter we realize that Mark, his
faithful follower, will be our guide for listening to the living voice of
the Christ, Jesus our Lord. I Peter is clear in its presentation of the
hope engendered by our baptism and we will be enjoying this lesson from
Peter for a number of days.

Mark tells us the story of the devout Israelite, undoubtedly a Pharisee,
who approaches Jesus and asks what he can do to obtain eternal life. Since
his orientation to God is definite, Jesus does not mention the observance
of the opening commandments but takes him into the ordinary commandments
which demand sensitivity toward all other people who are grouped under
"neighbor." This is the challenging task of the Mosaic law which Jesus
interprets in a very deep and personal way. There are no "ands, if, or
buts". Jesus invites him to be a disciple, a learner, and a follower, but
he cannot take that challenge. So Jesus has to explain to his other
followers that it is difficult for one who has many talents and many
possessions to leave them aside and follow the call of the Master. Jesus
ends the message with the statement, "but nothing is impossible with God."
Abraham heard it and became the father of faith; Mary learned it and
became a model for our own journeying in faith as we continue to listen
daily to the living voice of God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals this
to us and gives us the impetus and desire to do it. Amen. (no
Alleuluia!).

Scripture for May 20. Lectionary # 300. Acts 22:30; 23:6-11. Psalm
15:1-2a,5,7-8,9-10,11. John 17:20-26.

Paul, once converted, is so filled with the Holy Spirit that he preaches
and teaches about Jesus as Messiah and as Redeemer with great boldness.
The Holy Spirit is with him in all he does; even in his dreams he hears the
Spirit telling him where to preach and teach. He is able to confound those
who gather around him to condemn him before the magistrate of the Romans.
His cleverness and honesty in his belief about the resurrection divides the
hostile Sadducees and Pharisees. He is supported by the latter over against
the former ones, but needs the help of the Roman guard to protect him and
get him back to the compound. The two groups continue to argue,dispute,
and wrangle with one another while Paul is rescued.

Quite correctly, the Psalm and its response, fits Paul's mode of prayer:
"Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope."

Jesus wants to do away with divisions and conflicts such as Paul is
undergoing but his message is not heard. He prays that all of God's people
would be united and that they be as he is one with the Father. This
section of St. John becomes the theme and foundation living word of Jesus
for the Church Unity Ocatave which is celebrated with the conversion of
Paul from January 18-25. The prayer intentions are beautiful and help us
to pray for Church unity amidst so much diversity. This unity amidst
diversity is blessed when it results in community and focuses on the common
good. The community then is called upon to witness to the prayer of Jesus
that we all strive to be one as he is one with the Father. God's living
voice is heard even on the first page of Genesis where we learn that all of
us as individuals have been created in the image and likeness of God. We
need to remember that call to become who we really are meant to be and to
do something about it today in our relationships. Amen. Alleluia.