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Sunday, October 12, 2008

For Freedom Christ Set Us Free

October 13, 2008


Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time


By Beth DeCristofaro


For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)


From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the LORD to be praised. Who is like the LORD, our God, who looks upon the heavens and the earth below? He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. (Psalm 113:3, 5-7)


Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. (Luke 11:30)

Piety

Blessed be your name oh LORD in the rising gold of sun. From my waking to my sleeping, praise you Lord. Let me choose you, Lord, above nations and above earthly joys. I thank you Lord as you raise the needy, seating them with princes. May their joy be mine. May I sing your praise in their joy. At days end I see your glory in the shimmer of starlight. Blessed be your name oh Lord. (from Psalm 113)

Study

A dear man I know, a refugee from Iran whose family fled when the Shah fell 40 – 50 years ago was speaking to me of his Muslim faith. He has lived in the U.S. more years than in his homeland now, raising a family and working many years until retirement. Even though age and infirmity mark his face, it shines when he speaks of Allah and his love for God. He tells me that all creation brings glory to God. The glory of God is seen in mountains, in sunrises and in the garden which he and his wife tend faithfully. (Whose fruits they share with friends! What luscious figs!) God’s beauty and majesty is echoed through all creation.


Of all God’s created living beings, it is humanity which has the most trouble echoing back the wonder, power and bounty of God. The gift of free choice leads humanity to choose, and humanity does not always choose God. My friend takes very seriously his duty to pray to God and pray for his friends, people and the world in order that all know and shine back God’s beauty. Despite many tragedies in his life, my friend’s love of God gives me a strength and firmness at his core which brings peace and grace to those around him.


In the readings today, Paul and Jesus both address people who are not choosing God. As the notes to the NAB tell us, Paul explains to the Galatians “the freedom that Christians enjoy from the old burdens of the law, the total sufficiency of Christ and of faith in Christ as the way to God and to eternal life, and the beauty of the new life of the Spirit.”[1] Christ has not only freed them from the duties of the Mosaic Law but has offered them faith, sustained by the Spirit to come freely to God. Jesus points out to the gathered crowd, which includes leaders of the temple, that their choices have led them astray. He says that a pagan is example of one who searched rightly: the queen of the south can stand in judgment over the people who consider themselves Chosen. Wrapped in the harsh words, however, Jesus speaks of Jonah. This image is the promise which Paul later expounds upon: Jesus’ own salvific death and subsequent resurrection which sets people free to enjoy a life of grace in Christ.


We can choose as did the queen of the South, as does the Psalmist, as does Paul – even unto his own death. We can choose to pray as my friend says and which the Psalmist puts so beautifully: From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the LORD to be praised. Jesus wants us to act praise.

Action

Tonight at sundown begins Sukkot, a pilgrimage feast and a time of thanksgiving which celebrates God's presence in creation and among the Jewish people. Our faith heritage is of pilgrimage to God. Our pilgrimage includes the gift of the Resurrection through which all is made new. Do we remain slaves to our prejudices, fears, angers, ego? Or do we choose freedom and the total sufficiency of Christ? In what ways are we making new? Are we making the best, joyously celebrating and living the new life in the Spirit? To whom can we be examples of the Spirit’s renewal and life? Can we appreciate the examples of others who speak to us of God’s wonders?

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