Somewhat curiously and perhaps unnecessarily, since it was not an issue in Corinth, as for example in Galatia, Paul adds a passing shot at the Law. He seems to have always been on guard lest his converts from the Gentile (non-Jewish) world would be enticed to submit themselves to the practice of the Jewish law. In light of the paschal mystery Paul sees the law ranged on the side of the old era of sin and death that has been overtaken by God’s action in Christ. Paul’s long instruction about the resurrection ends on a strong note of encouragement. ‘Keep on working’, he says, ‘at the Lord’s work, knowing that in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.’ Though so often we seem to be getting nowhere and are tempted to give up, the hope of resurrection means that nothing is valueless, nothing – even failure and seeming defeat – is wasted. It is all part of a great design in which the power of the risen Lord is at work in us, overcoming the forces of death and negativity to reclaim the universe for life and for humanity.
The disciples are told to act toward their enemies in a way exactly opposite of which they themselves are treated; they are not to retaliate in kind. Their love should not be mere passive acceptance, but an active love. Four examples of such love are given. Whether attacked or insulted by a blow to the cheek, one must resist retaliation. This same extravagance is shown in one’s willingness to surrender an undergarment when an outer cloak is taken. The disciples are told to give unquestioningly when asked and not to demand the return of items taken. Such behaviour may appear excessive, but it illustrates the extremes to which one must be willing to love enemies. Finally, the way the disciples treat others will be the standard for the way they are treated by God.
Jesus singles out four life situations that make people blessed. He then identifies their opposites and declares them as being woeful. The blessed are those who are poor, hungry, sorrowful, or persecuted, while the woeful ones are the rich, the satisfied, the joyful, the respected. Jesus has overturned the standards of this age and has established new standards, those of the reign of God. Perhaps the heart of this teaching is found in the last beatitude and the last woe. The followers of Jesus will be hated and marginalised and scorned; they will be like the prophets of old. Conversely, the disciples should be wary when they are accepted and esteemed; this could mean that they enjoy approval because they deliver a message that contains no call to conversion.
Simon recognises Jesus’ divine power in the miraculous catch of fish. He prostrates himself before Jesus and addresses him as Lord (kýrios), a title that combines the elements of power and authority. Simon and the others are filled with astonishment or fear to which Jesus responds in characteristic manner: ‘Do not be afraid!’ Jesus does not provide these fishermen a remarkable catch merely in order to cancel the frustration they experienced in an unsuccessful night of fishing. The miracle became an acted-out prophecy revealing both his own mysterious authority and the ministry to which they are being called. Jesus declares that a turning point in their lives has been reached. The commission states: From now on . . .!
In the readings for this week we see the reaction of those who hear the word of God. Jeremiah was told that he had been called to be a prophet even before he was born. Yet he had to fight against the people to whom he was sent. Those who heard Jesus were first amazed at his words and then later sought to throw him off a cliff. We too are often quite resistant to the word of God. Neither Jeremiah nor Jesus recoiled from the implications of their call, regardless of the resistance they experienced. Instead, they entered even more deeply into the call to love. Lest he brood over his injuries, Jeremiah is reassured of God’s protection. And, without aggressively demonstrating his strength when he was threatened with harm, Jesus exhibited patience and kindness. Both men bore and endured their bitter misfortunes. This is the image that is placed before us as an example for us to follow.
Dear Parishioners of OLA & St Agnes’,
Another year nears its end, another most extraordinary year, it must be said, and we ask once again, ‘Where has the year gone!’ I thank you most sincerely for your continued support, in so many ways, throughout 2021…, …our sincere best wishes for Christmas and 2022.
May this Christmas be a joyous one, savouring the opportunities we have to gather as families and friends, thanking God for all the blessings we’ve come to know, including, above all, the gift of His Son, the One whom we remember, at this time, as the little babe of Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord.
May God bless you and your families, in this holy season.
Fr Alan Fox PP …on behalf of the Parish Team
The response of the child in Elizabeth’s womb is reminiscent of the joy that filled David as he leaped before the ark of the covenant. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed her faith in the child that Mary was carrying. In both cases, it was the realisation of being in the presence of God that caused them to rejoice. It is as if Mary is the ark and the child within her is the glory of God. There is a sequence of recognition that begins and ends with Mary. At the sound of Mary’s greeting the child in Elizabeth leaped for joy, signalling to her the presence of her Lord in Mary’s womb; at this, Elizabeth recognises the blessedness of Mary’s unborn child and, through him, the blessedness of Mary.
Although John himself lives an austere life removed from the ordinary pursuits of people, he does not ask his inquirers to dissociate themselves from their own lives or occupations. Rather, he challenges them to continue where they are, but to carry out their daily responsibilities with concern for others, with honesty and integrity. The expectation that filled the people was eschatological; they were looking for the Christ, the ‘anointed one’. John was not this one. His baptism with water was a ritual of repentance and cleansing; Christ’s baptism of the Spirit will purge and transform, and his coming will be a time of judgment, when the wicked will be separated like chaff from the wheat and will be thrown into the fire. John’s ministry calls for the change of heart required of those who would be saved from this distress.
That God keeps faith is also the message of St Paul to the community of Philippi – the one who began this good work in you, will see that it is finished, or brought to completion, before the Day of Christ Jesus. In Paul, we also see the strong sense of ‘End Time’ hope that dominated early Christian theology. Paul is writing in a deeply personal manner, clearly knowing and loving this community. If you were a pastor away from your community, what type of letter would you write to them? Paul writes with joy and thanksgiving, readily expressing his feelings of wanting to be with the community and shares with them his prayer. It is a letter of great encouragement. The readings proclaim that God is coming to us. If we make preparations in our busy lives so that there is some room amidst the pre-Christmas shopping, the holiday plans, the office parties, we will know a God who is with us. God comes to those who want and wait, which is why it is the poor and the ‘little ones’ who first hear the news.
While the basic message is one of comfort and reassurance, the second part of the gospel adopts a more admonitory tone. Believers must be like people expecting visitors but unsure as to when exactly they will arrive. The time of waiting requires attentiveness and a sharp spiritual sense. Anything that dulls the spirit (debauchery and drunkenness) or causes it to be distracted (absorption in the cares of life) must be avoided. Advent is a time for examination in such areas. It is also a time for exploring our deepest longings and desires and allowing them to surface. They can ride up, so to speak, on the rich Scripture texts that the Church puts before us at this time. God’s only wish in our regard is to communicate to us the life and love for which we long. Each Advent should expand both our longing and our capacity to receive the gift of God.