Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year

There is a saying attributed to Attila the Hun (5^th century): ‘For me to be happy, it’s not just important that I succeed; it’s also important that everyone else fails.’  For many, success is measured by one’s job, one’s earnings, wealth, even the people who may subscribe to Facebook. Today, as ever, we are being called by the gospel to a different mindset that involves generosity, service, and responding to generosity offered. This is true with the October Voice to Parliament referendum as often with trade unions. A word often appearing is ‘unfair’ where a marginalised people for over 230 years might finally get a voice and be listened to is deemed unfair.

Twenty Fourth Sunday of the Year

All of us need to forgive and receive forgiveness. Forgiveness is undoubtedly complex and arduous. We can get caught when we believe forgiving another minimises our suffering or that of another. Whether an injury was big or small, intended or unintended, addressed or ignored by the other person(s), we need to take the forgiveness journey.

Twenty Third Sunday of the Year

Scripture relentlessly reminds us of God’s passionate love for us and of our love for one another, and of our interconnectedness with all people and creation. Yet, with ever increasing polarisation, the space for dialogue, understanding and cooperation for the common good diminishes. Today, we are exhorted to deal with division, restore unity and build mutual understanding, care, and solidarity amongst us. God called Ezekiel to speak out, in an environment where there was little concern for the poor, with a challenging message to those in power. And he calls us to look at ourselves, discover uncomfortable truths that we hide behind, question the status quo, and challenge whatever obstructs God’s plan for humanity. We are called to be our brothers’/sisters’ keepers; to be the voice for the voiceless; and defend the vulnerable.

Twenty Second Sunday of the Year

Both Matthew and Paul call us to a countercultural passion. Jesus shows that being the Messiah is not how the disciples see it. After proclaiming his faith in Jesus, Peter tempts Jesus to use his power to become a security blanket in the event of suffering involved in following him. Jesus has talked about the suffering that may be involved when following him. ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’ Concern for safety can be a vicious circle. It hinders one’s freedom to give of oneself.

Twenty-first Sunday of the Year

One of the most important questions to us “Who do you say that I am?” The disciples tell Jesus what everyone else says. He was asking what they think. He also asks what we think. This is central for anyone who follows Jesus. The answer makes all the difference. We should note where Jesus asked this question. Caesarea Philippi, founded on a massive wall of rock, had a marble temple built in honour Caesar. Caesarea Philippi was a place of imperial power and authority and Jesus’ takes on a political nature. It flows an earlier political question: ‘Who do people say that I am?’ It comes down to asking who has taken the strongest stand against Israel’s oppressors. They mention Elijah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist. Then Jesus’ question takes on an anti-imperial tone, ‘What about me? Who do you say that I am?’