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Sun. 5 C 2025

This Sunday’s scriptures give us pictures of at least 3 prominent men of ages past who resemble all of us in some way. We hear from Isaiah, Saul/Paul, and Cephas/Simon Peter and his companions “tell it how it is” from their souls. They are sinners, unworthy, imperfect, and a bit skeptical about working for the Lord.

It is God’s grace that transformed them and will for us, too. It is the second or third etc. chances that they and we need to “get it right’ or at least close to it during the journey of life. It even seems sometimes that the imperfections they and we have are used to benefit God’s work.

So what do we do, in today’s times? Can we forgive ourselves and others for our imperfections and even sins? Can we trust God to make all things new, including us and what seems to be so much about our chaotic world?

The answer for me lies in prayer. We have to be honest with ourselves about ourselves. We have to be willing to believe and act in ways that mirror God’s view of all of us… love the person, not the sin. Where will the transformation begin to be seen in our lives?

Blessings,
Dr. Lanie LeBlanc OP
Southern Dominican Laity
lanie@leblanc.one

Sixth Sunday of Ordered Time

February 16, 2025

Jeremiah 17:5-8; Responsorial Psalm 1; 1st Corinthians
15:12 & 16-20; Gospel Acclamation 6:23; Luke 6:17 & 20-26

Jeremiah begins our Liturgy of the Word this Sunday with strong, accusatory words: “Cursed is the one who trusts human beings!” What a start; a judgment against the usual and customary behaviors of humans. Anyone who trusts in humanity and its values is cursed. Anyone who trusts in the goals and values of people without God in their hearts miss the wonder of seasonal changes, of connection with the Creator. Jeremiah describes what happens to those without God. They become like a dried-out bush in the desert, devoid of hope for flourishing, for bearing fruit, for producing seeds for carrying on their memory and genetic bundle into a future generation. There can be no growth of character, of presence, of flourishing in spirit. How different those whose hearts hold the presence of God. They flourish like a tree planted near the fresh water of flowing streams. They are alive even in drought. They spread their roots, their shade, and bear fruit. They bear the heat of summer without fading, they endure, they are full of life. Humans, in opposition, to God in the heart pursue and spend their lives achieving fame and fortune. Do we know people like that like the tree by the flowing stream? Those are people who carry a smile even through terrible events, failures of others they love, misfortune present in losses regarding economic and social matters. Their hearts bear them up. Those whose living is based in love of God and neighbor appear unaffected by the events of the world. The setbacks affect them, but after the shock, they discover – with the Spirit’s assistance, an avenue of growth. The world values accumulation, fame, and power. Their belly is their god and a strong arm their strength. Violence and division are their methods. What then are they? In their passing they are lost and empty like a used barrel or a dinger-less gong.

The reading from Jeremiah leads us to the preaching of Jesus in this Sunday’s gospel. It brings us to a flat plain in accompaniment with a large crowd seeking healing. They seek healing of infirmities preventing living a full, flourishing, and abundant life. Jesus healed bodies. There is an effect that is more impressive than physical healing. Healing of the person’s spirit is urgently sought and important for the individual and the community. That is a healing of the heart, a flourishing of character, a rising of persons’ spirits. Hearts are lifted with joy and a fulness that adds vitality and flourishing to both the person and his/her community. Healing the heart is more difficult than healing the body. Our hearts direct our passions, our energies, our thinking and loving. In the human body is the heart keeping our bodies alive. What we love brings us hope, joy, and community. In the body it pumps oxygen and nourishment into our limbs, our cells, our intelligence, and rational minds.

Listening to the beatitudes in Luke’s gospel is so counterintuitive. These few statements of Luke’s seem too much, too difficult, too hard to understand, impossible to apply to life in the world. This message presents meekness, poverty, and even grief as a source of happiness. This message makes being ignored, shut out of what the world holds out as the meaning and purpose of life acceptable. Who wants to be hated, who wants to be denied a place at the overflowing table of the world’s banquet? Is Jesus a masochist?

The way of the world and its values and energies are directed toward things, often to the detriment of a person’s character. When fame, accumulation, and the gold ring of the merry go round of life is power, what do we lose it its attainment? What is left of a person’s integrity, of the wonder of human life? What remains the purpose of that life?

These are questions that come to mind when we evaluate these beatitudes in Luke and in Matthew. We are forced to remember Jesus presents a new reality, a new kingdom, the Kingdom of God. Should we consider his preaching a downward spiral toward rejection of free will? That would make faith a restriction of choice, about obedience to law rejecting human nature. For example, is treating human sexuality more than a simple biological event not a limitation? Isn’t intimacy in loving more about growth in loving, in giving and receiving more than biology? Isn’t mere biology potentially a denial of dignity of partner? Isn’t respecting and helping life flourish respect for the Creator who creates no junk?

Thinking about the Law of Moses, we often overlook the whole story. Deuteronomy teaches us the commandments are given to the Hebrew nation, so its citizens have a guide for a happy, fruitful, and growth-oriented life. The beatitudes and woes in Luke are a further progression of what makes for a happy life. The practice of the beatitudes makes our living like a healthy tree beside a fresh water flowing stream. That is Jeremiah’s message and prophecy.

Dennis Keller dennis@preacherexchange.com

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2025-02-09 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Isaiah 6: 1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138; I Corinthians 15: 1-11; Luke 5: 1-11

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” ...
“Here I am,” Isaiah said; “send me!”

If the Lord said right now,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” ...
Would you answer, as Isaiah did,
“Here I am,” ... “send me!”?

This is the pivotal question in each of our lives.
God has gifted you with a heart to love, and abilities, weaknesses, and inspirations to contribute to the lives of others.
These define not only your possibilities, but the life and direction of this community your future communities.
Thus...
The most transforming and empowering response has always been ... “Here I am,” ... “send me!”

In Genesis the “Lord called out from heaven and said,
“Abraham! Abraham!”
He answered, “Here I am.”

Later In Genesis
God appeared to Israel in a dream and a vision saying,
“Jacob, Jacob.”
He answered, “Here I am.”
In Exodus
The Lord saw Moses approaching
“and God called out from the bush, “Moses, Moses.”
He answered, “Here I am.”
In Samuel
“The Lord called out: “Samuel.”
He answered, “Here I am.”
...., Your servant is listening”

In the book of Tobit
(the Archangel) Raphael said to the youth,
“Brother Tobiah!” He answered, “Here I am.”

And it is not a one way street:
The Lord too responds to our call:
In Isaiah, the Lord assures us,
“on that day, my people will know my name
and understand that it is I who say: Here I am! ...
When you call, the Lord will answer; ... “Here I am.”

In Luke, for Mary, it is,
“Be it done to me according to your Word”

In Acts, for Paul’s sake and baptism, the Lord calls
“a disciple in Damascus named Ananias.
In a vision, the Lord said to him, “Ananias.”
He answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

So by the example of many
will you too respond to the Lord’s Call:
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
“Here I am,” ... “send me!”

ALL: “Here I am,” ... “send me!”

Who will tell the Good news to those around them?
“Here I am,” ... “send me!”

Who will bring hope and comfort to the poor?
“Here I am,” ... “send me!”

Who will teach the faith to those who seek to know the Lord?
“Here I am,” ... “send me!”

Who will Prepare, beautify, sing, play, Celebrate,
proclaim, respond, distribute, and rejoice
in the liturgy of the Body of Christ, the Church
gathered to proclaim the death of the Lord until he come again?
Who will go for us?
“Here I am,” ... “send me!”

Who will form, serve, support, lead, organize, teach,
build, care, comfort, forgive, invite, and welcome the community
building it up to the full stature of Jesus Christ?
Who will go for us?
“Here I am,” ... “send me!”

Pause . . . . .

“I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”

“Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

Fr. John Boll OP