While reflecting on the First Reading (Old Testament) and the Gospel for today (the Twenty-sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time), I was struck by the attitude of ‘ownership’ expressed by both the followers of Moses and Jesus. 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.

​St. James clearly tells us that if the ownership of things is more important than the needs of the poor you will “weep and wail over your impending miseries.” 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…”

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: instead of thinking we own the earth, it is 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, government, ecclesial):  it would be better to understand these are positions of service.

Today’s readings should encourage us to shine the light of discernment on our attitudes and choices. St. James reminds us that God will judge us in how we perceive and use the ‘wealth’ in our lives. 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!”

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Just a Note: Many of you may be wondering where I am. For those who are unaware, I have had surgery this past week for a total left knee replacement. (You may have seen me walking with the aid of a cane.) It is a long and hard recovery, so I ask you to pray for me that I may recover well and return soon. Thank you all for your support! I will keep you updated as the weeks progress.

There were they in great fear, where no fear was (Psalm 53:5). This Scripture verse is of special relevance for us today as our society is in general extremely conditioned by fear. Fear is a dangerous impulse because it is prone to make us irrational and to nurture anger (which is the mother of all passions). Fear also blinds us more than anything else. Therefore, one of our most important tasks right now is to identify our real fears because the things we think we fear aren’t necessarily the things that make us afraid.

​It is important in our personal and corporate lives to face the challenge of identifying our real fears because it seems that so much of our deep visceral fear is a projected fear. We need to have the honesty, humility and patience to follow that projection and see where it comes from. Is there fear where there is actually no fear? We often make tremendous and catastrophic mistakes acting to alleviate, circumvent, or (try to) obliterate imagined fears through a failure of facing what we are really frightened of. By rigorously and analytically asking the question of where our fears come from and what they tell us, there a real chance of finding security and hope.

In Scripture, the phrase, Do not be afraid, comes up 365 times. The necessary preliminary for overcoming fear is owning fear. This is where we often fall short in the endeavor to identify our real fears because fear is humiliating. Fear involves an owning of my non-omnipotence; of my non-capacity to save myself in a given situation. That is why it is so important to follow the impulse of fear to its root and to tackle it there.

Once you have found your fear, let love find you there. Call it forth in yourself there. And I mean by love the self-giving kind; non-possessive; capable even in extreme situations of honoring otherness. Fear will loosen its grip and an uncanny freedom will spread its wings (cf. Exodus 19:4; Psalm 91:4). Dealing with fear head-on can be the beginning of wisdom (cf. Proverbs 1:7).

David J. Conrad