sixth sunday in ordinary time
After Jesus came down the mountain on which He chose His twelve apostles, a large crowd gathered to listen to Him on a stretch of level ground. This “sermon on the plain” is similar to the “sermon on the mount” in Matthew’s Gospel. It sets out the basic moral standards for those who chose to live within the community Jesus is establishing.
The four blessings declare certain groups of people to be privileged recipients of God’s special gifts. God is on their side, not against them. When the coming of God’s Kingdom brings about a dramatic reversal of status, these people will be exalted.
The four woes obviously parallel the blessings in form and contact. Luke has already identified Jesus as the Messiah who has come to save the poor and lowly. The contrast between human justice and God’s justice, brought out earlier in his Gospels by references to the Old Testament, is emphasized in Jesus’ new teaching.
Jesus’ goal is not simply that His followers should avoid transgressions. He expects them to go further, to bear good fruit. What does He consider good fruit? Love your enemies, turning the other cheek, giving without expectations of return, mercy, forgiveness, repentance from your own sins, instead of judgment of others for theirs. What we are like can be known by whether you bear this kind of fruit or not. There is no question that Jesus wants His followers to bear a kind of fruit that is impossible for fallen humanity on its own. Later Luke will present Jesus speaking about the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom there can be an interior abundance that bears good fruit outwardly.
God Bless
Msgr. Powell
fifth sunday in ordinary time
The fisherman were washing their nets after fishing all night. Jesus got into the boat of Simon Peter and asked him to go out to the deeper water. It was a practical request because it served the purpose of getting Jesus away from the pressing crowd and still be able to teach the people. It is also true that sound travels well across the water. At this point Jesus begins to preach the word of God.
The word of God, manifested in preaching and teaching, is also exhibited in action. When Peter witnesses the miraculous catch of fish, he recognizes that there is far more to Jesus than simply a profound teacher. Peter’s response to Jesus is immediate: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
How natural it is for us when we are before God to focus on our sinfulness. Peter’s sins put him in doubt that he could be close to God. And yet the point of the story is that Jesus can call a sinner into a close relationship with Him. Jesus responds to Peter and our fears, which result from sin, that we need not part from God. “Do not be afraid.” What a message for all of us to remember. Even though we are sinners, we need not fear God. His love and mercy are far greater than our sins and failures. Peter learned this lesson and became a great fisher of mankind. When we learn this lesson, God also has a great deal in store for us.
God Bless,
Msgr. Powell