Saint Aidan Catholic Church - Livonia, MI
  • Discover
    • Schedule >
      • Holy Week
    • Livestream Masses
    • Lent Fish Dinners
    • Contact
    • Register
    • About >
      • Our Patron Saint
      • Church Tour
      • PRES Plan
    • Groups >
      • Women of St. Aidan
      • Men's Club
      • Men's Prayer Group
      • Young(ish) Adults
    • Links
  • Grow
    • March Enrichment
    • Lent '23
    • Families
    • Blog
    • Bible Studies >
      • Exodus
    • Sacrament Prep >
      • Reconciliation & Holy Communion
      • Confirmation
    • Young(ish) Adults
    • Youth Ministry
    • Ongoing Enrichment >
      • Online Studies
      • Sacraments
      • Faith Basics
      • Library Database
    • Children's Liturgy of the Word
    • Become Catholic
    • VBS
  • Service
    • Assistance
    • Pray
    • Vocations
    • Volunteer
  • Give
    • Electronic Donations
    • CSA
    • Endowment
  • Discover
    • Schedule >
      • Holy Week
    • Livestream Masses
    • Lent Fish Dinners
    • Contact
    • Register
    • About >
      • Our Patron Saint
      • Church Tour
      • PRES Plan
    • Groups >
      • Women of St. Aidan
      • Men's Club
      • Men's Prayer Group
      • Young(ish) Adults
    • Links
  • Grow
    • March Enrichment
    • Lent '23
    • Families
    • Blog
    • Bible Studies >
      • Exodus
    • Sacrament Prep >
      • Reconciliation & Holy Communion
      • Confirmation
    • Young(ish) Adults
    • Youth Ministry
    • Ongoing Enrichment >
      • Online Studies
      • Sacraments
      • Faith Basics
      • Library Database
    • Children's Liturgy of the Word
    • Become Catholic
    • VBS
  • Service
    • Assistance
    • Pray
    • Vocations
    • Volunteer
  • Give
    • Electronic Donations
    • CSA
    • Endowment

Us & Them

9/27/2021

 
We hear two Scripture stories today, this Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, about the human attitude of “us and them.” In the First Reading from the Book of Numbers we hear the story of Moses dealing with the jealousy of his people about who “gets” (deserves?) to prophesy. While reflecting on this First Reading (Old Testament) and the Gospel for today, I was struck by the attitude of ‘ownership’ expressed by both the followers of Moses and Jesus, also. In both readings people complain that others who are not part of their “group” are doing good works in the name of the Lord. Moses and Jesus both try to make the people understand that God is not an exclusive possession. God is greater and larger in love, mercy and grace than we may define—yet we keep trying to own God—as if our way is the only way. This is the “them⎯and⎯us” attitude we find sometimes in our politics, families and yes, even our faith. Jesus tells us to cut away these offensive parts of us—eyes, hands and feet—while actually referring to sin, to envy and to deceit.

​John in the Gospel story tells Jesus that someone else (besides them!) was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. They tried to stop him because this person wasn’t one of them… We hear Jesus reply: “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us…” Jesus clearly warns against this jealousy and intolerance toward others who are not of their “group.” These are timely words, as we find ourselves at this time so embroiled in division and special interests. The good that is done, is good and it doesn’t matter (or shouldn’t matter) who does it—if it is good—it should be supported.

The next section of the Gospel is obvious in its’ direction to us in dealing with our bad parts: cut away the part of us that is sinful; cut away the part of you that leads others to sin. I think this is a dire warning by Him, and the fact that it is coupled with the “us and them” admonition is no accident… Jesus is trying to get us to understand that we must look carefully at how we are led: that boundaries of exclusion should be taken down; that good works by “outsiders” and good “outsiders” should be accepted; that “insiders” who are actually doing unholy works should be expelled or “cut off.” Wow!

St. James this weekend is even scarier! He tells us: “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries… He talks about justice for cheated workers; and about those who live in luxury and pleasure—that judgment will come to those who store up the wrong treasure for the last days. It is a dire warning regarding ownership: wealth rots; clothes molder; gold and silver corrodes. Remember the old saying: “You can’t take it with you…” Which “us and them” do you suppose St. James is writing about? I suspect a lot of us…many of us…

We are easily seduced by the perception of ownership; we are told and sold this idea constantly in the media and by the values are society evinces. It would be wiser to think spiritually about “ownership.” Instead of thinking we own the earth, better to think that we are the stewards of creation. Rather than thinking we own the only way to God, we rejoice that God’s Spirit is at work in all of His children. Rather than think we ‘own’ wealth and possessions, talents and abilities we should see these as the gifts and grace of God. Rather than think we ‘own’ positions of leadership in any community (or in any relationship of influence such as medical, parental, governmental, ecclesial):  it would be better to understand these are positions of service.

​Last week St. James told us that: “...the wisdom from above is first all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.”  Remember the prayer of Moses today: “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow His Spirit on them all!”  These are good words to ponder, and to follow—when storing up true treasure for heaven! There is a lot of food for thought in the readings for this week and a lot to pray about as we consider: our treasure, and who is “us” and who is “them.”

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Just a Note:  A song about Jesus as treasure… 

Comments are closed.

    Authors

    David J. Conrad, M.A. Theology. Our Director of Faith Formation.

    Paul Pyrkosz. Our Youth Minister & Bookkeeper.

    ​Elizabeth Dyc. Our Director of Music Ministry.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

St. Aidan Catholic Church
17500 Farmington Rd. 
Livonia, MI 48152
Phone: 734-425-5950
office@saintaidanlivonia.org

Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m.

Picture