Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
23rd Sunday of the Year, B – September 5, 2021.
Readings: Isaiah 35:4-7; Ps 145:7-10; James 2:1-5 & Gospel – Mark 7:31-37.
Theme: Courage, Fear Not!
Sunday Synopsis
Isaiah talks about distributive and restorative justice by asserting that God repays each man according to his deeds. In the second reading, St. James cautions his audience to avoid judging others and showing partiality. The gospel recalls the healing of the deaf man who had a speech impediment. Just as Jesus restored the man in the gospel to health of mind and body, he urges us to be courageous and have no fear as we journey towards heaven.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, our readings point to how “great things happen when God mixes with us.” It reveals the reality of both retributive and restorative justice. The last line of the gospel text captures the sentiment when it says, “he does everything well.” Our reflection shall explore the readings in search for the requisite spiritual recipe.
Background & Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (Is. 35:4-7), the prophet Isaiah who was writing to strengthen the returning exiles uses poetic devices to drive home the message that the salvation of the Lord is ultimately connected to God’s justice. Isaiah talks about distributive and restorative justice by asserting that God repays each man according to his deeds if not here, in the world to come. While revealing God as a legitimate authority who brings about retribution, he encourages the people not to be afraid as God would visit his people.
In the second reading (James 2:1-5) St. James cautions his audience to avoid judging others and showing partiality. Pointing towards the ultimate judgment at the end of time, he encourages the faithful to await the promise of God for those who love him by not showing class distinction between the rich and the poor. He warns against the use of double standards and being corrupt judges as a result of discrimination and premature judgment.
The gospel (Mark 7:31-37) recalls the healing of the deaf man who had a speech impediment around the Decapolis region. It reveals how the man was brought to Jesus and how Jesus took him away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle and his ears were opened and he was able to speak. Jesus restored the man to health of mind and body.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Seek God’s Presence: Our liturgy reveals that whether God’s presence is characterized by a theophany or manifestation of mighty works which he does amongst his people or not, his contact with human beings actually changes everything because “great things happen when God mixes with us.”
2. Beware of God’s Judgement: Based on the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC. Nos. 1020-1041) about instant/particular and general judgment, our liturgy promises that at the end of time, the whole of creation and humanity will be transformed at the appearance of the Lord who would come to judge the living and the dead.
3. Do Not Discriminate: The second reading calls us not to discriminate against anyone on the basis of sex, race, religion, status and economic standing but give everyone equal opportunities to reach their potentials even as we shun being judges.
4. Knock Down Cast Systems: By touching the man who was a Gentile, Jesus challenges us to knock down look the barriers of cast systems and other such discriminatory practices by taking care of the sick without being afraid that we would be infected with a disease.
5. Bring Others to Christ: Just as the man with the speech impairment was brought to Jesus by his friends and family, we are challenged to assist by bringing others to Christ.
6. Resist Commercializing Christianity: By taking the man away from the crowd, Jesus teaches us to always resist the temptation of commercializing Christianity or worse still, turning the Church of God into a theater of entertainment or publicity.
Summary Lines
1. Isaiah talks about distributive and restorative justice by asserting that God repays each man according to his deeds.
2. In the second reading St. James cautions his audience to avoid judging others and showing partiality.
3. He warns against the use of double standards and being corrupt judges as a result of discrimination and premature judgment.
4. The gospel recalls the healing of the deaf man who had a speech impediment.
5. Jesus restored the man to health of mind and body.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we recall how at a time when people were moving towards godlessness, Pope Pius X dedicated his pontificate to a single aim of “Restoring all things in Christ.” He challenged the faithful to look up to Jesus, take the Blessed Virgin Mary as their Model, imitate the Saints, sanctify the family and help restore Christian civilization. May God help us to understand the demands of both retributive and restorative justice so as to live good Christian lives here and be happy with him in the next. Happy birthday to all September babies. Have a great week ahead!
