Sunday Reflections: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are times throughout the year when the readings seem rather harsh. They are difficult to hear. But they are an admonition to all of us, both individually and the Church as a whole.

For example in the second reading we hear: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges."

It is difficult to hear that God "reproves" and "scourges" his children. Our modern culture doesn't like discipline. Indeed,  America is founded upon a "right" to absolute self-determination, where no one has a right to tell anyone else what to do. We read in the Declaration of Independence of the rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (emphasis mine), happiness being defined as whatever pleasure you want so long as you don't interfere with anyone else. This is contrasted with the Catholic doctrine of the attainment of happiness in the Beatific Vision.

We see the consequences of rejecting the discipline of God. We see it all around us in the culture, from LGBT ideology, climate alarmism, and abortion from the left to the fact that so many self-proclaimed Christians pay more reverence to the American flag (a piece of cloth) than they do to the Eucharist.

Why this lack of reverence for the source and summit of our Faith, the real and substantial presence of our King? In a previous post I mentioned both our actions and our liturgies. The Eucharist is no longer the permeating foundation of our daily lives. Therefore our liturgies undermine this fundamental doctrine. Our liturgies have become worldly. The Church has tried to become more relevant, but in doing so fades more and more into the background for she is not fulfilling her purpose.

In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms the final result of these choices. Those who choose to spurn discipline, to reject orthodoxy and reverent liturgy (no matter how well intentioned), will be locked outside the gates; they will be told to depart for the Lord does not know where they are from.

Today we are given a simple choice - will we lovingly accept discipline and scourging? Or will we choose to go our own way, to put pleasure before obedience to God, which is our real freedom? Will we choose salvation or damnation?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The New Year's Hand Slap: Why It's Disconcerting

Image
On New Year's Eve, a small Chinese woman grabbed the hand of Pope Francis who in turn slapped hers twice in order to free himself. The look on his face was visibly angry. The video has gone viral. It seems that no one is without commentary either in defense or in outrage against Pope Francis. There seems to be no middle ground. Those who defend Francis primarily use the argument that he is old and frail. The woman in question should not have grabbed him and pulled him so forcefully. Both these statements I agree with. Yet to say that Francis was completely justified in his reaction is to ignore his larger pattern. The list of examples demonstrating his anger and contempt toward faithful Catholics is far too long. He has a history that is disturbing. He attacks traditional Catholics as having a mental disorder. He ignores the concerns of the faithful while granting audiences to those who are openly against Catholic teaching. He fails to deny that he holds heretical positions. ...
Read more

Banning Porn - State, National, or Both?

Image
In light of the moral and cultural decline in Western Civilization, and America in particular, the debate on whether and how to ban pornography has been renewed. Prominent personalities, such as Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles, and Timothy Gordon, have given their arguments in favor of such a ban over the past few weeks. Tim Gordon in particular, with his brother David, gave their opinions on this moral issue in a recent episode of Rules for Retrogrades . Firstly, it should be obvious that I am vehemently in favor of banning pornography. It is intrinsically evil. It makes men stupid, weak, and impotent animals. The fact that previous attempts to ban pornography have been struck down as unconstitutional, as a violation of “freedom of expression,” is a moral stain for which God shall judge America. Ironically, it’s partially true following the logic, or rather illogic, of “liberty” upon which this country was founded. The above points, save for the last, are those u...
Read more