Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. There is no partiality with God. Romans 2:10-11
Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk." Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, "Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too." And he said, "Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them. Luke 11:44-46
Piety
One thing God has said; two things I have heard: Power belongs to God; so too, Lord, does kindness, And you render to each of us according to our deeds. Psalm 62:12-13
Study
October 14, 2009 is not only my mother’s 77th birthday but it also is the eighth anniversary of the start of the Fourth Day for the men of the 104th Cursillo. So, this edition of Your Daily Tripod is dedicated in thanksgiving to my sponsor Esther Silva, Rector Dave Maurer and the rest of the team, candidates and community supporters who shared that memorable time at Missionhurst.
The weekend theme was “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Stan Prohaska provided the community witness talk at Holy Spirit Parish for the “11 lepers” of the Men’s 104th Cursillo on that chilly Sunday afternoon.
Tomorrow, my table mate, Carlos Hillman leads anew the weekend experience as rector for the Men’s 119th Cursillo. Among others on the team this weekend is Deacon Jack Ligon, also a member of the team for the 104th Cursillo.
Carlos and I sat at the table of Faith in Action and the readings today provide a fitting reminder to our experience. St. Paul tells the Romans that they will have glory with God based upon the good works which they perform. Those who judge others without serving them will be judged harshly by God.
By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to his works: eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. Romans 2:5-8
Jesus echoes this warning, telling the Pharisees that they will be judged harshly because they impose heavy burdens on people without lifting one finger in service to them. Such a message reinforces that pledge which candidates will take on Sunday when they begin their Fourth Day.
Christ is counting on all of us to persevere in good works, reach out and touch the candidates with our support and serve the world.
Action
The notes to this chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans in the New American Bible point out that “Paul explains that the final judgment will be a review of performance, not of privilege. From this perspective Gentiles stand on an equal footing with Jews, and Jews cannot condemn the sins of Gentiles without condemning themselves."
This is an important lesson for us all to recognize – that God’s love extends to all without partiality. Jew and Gentile. American and Mexican. German and Japanese. Russian and Chinese. Iraqi and North Korean. Cuban and Iranian.
There is a phrase for good works without piety – "social work." It is a worthy pursuit but it is only a part of the story. Our good works must be infused with faith in God and friendship with Jesus to live out the Gospel witness. Yet with all the partisan tug of war and words we encounter daily, even hourly, sometimes, we might be tempted to be like the Pharisees and judge others harshly.
Let us be know by our performance, not privilege. Let us perform our service well this weekend to the candidates who will participate in the Men’s Weekend. Remember Palanca letters. Food Palanca. The Prayer Clock. Mañanita and Closing. Details for all are on the www.arlingtoncursillo.org website.
