My sisters and brothers, we are called to grow in our
Christian lives of virtue and ministry.
Resting on our past goodness or successes simply does not cut it.
Our first reading today, from the book of Esther, is the
final coup in a very dangerous game of political intrigue and racial hatred. There is a lot of back ground to the story.
King Ahasuerus (probably 486-464 BC) has
banished his Queen Vashti for disobedience. Esther is a Jewish orphan who was raised by
her cousin Mordecai. When the king seeks
a new queen, Mordecai offers her as a candidate, without revealing that she is
Jewish. She is chosen. Mordecai later discovers a plot to
assassinate the king; he tells Esther, who tips off the king; winning his great
appreciation. After the foiled
assassination plot the King names Haman his vizier (prime minister). Haman is an arrogant fellow how deeply
resents Mordecai for the favor he has from the king and manipulates the king
into ordering the extermination of the Jews, for disrupting the harmony of the
kingdom. He keeps secret from the king
that Mordecai is one of the Jews and none know that Esther is also. Esther could have just laid low; she probably
would have been missed by the executioners.
But, at Mordecai’s urging she stands up to champion her people and puts
her neck on the line in the process.
As Queen she actually did not have free access to the
King. Anyone who came into the King's
presence uninvited ran the risk of being killed on the spot. She showed up in his throne room dressed in
her full royal regalia and when he extended to her the privilege of speaking to
him she invited him to a banquet she planned in his honor. Our story today picks up the matter during
that dinner.
When the King learns that some of his most trusted advisers (and his Queen) are part of the Jews being exterminated by Haman, he
realizes the man’s treachery and condemns him instead; finally making Mordecai the
next Vizier. It is a great story of
intrigue, loyalty and clever maneuvering.
The point of which is that God watches over and inspires his people even
while they are oppressed captives in a foreign land.
In our second reading James runs through a check list of
items before closing his letter. This
text shows us the biblical roots of the sacrament of anointing the sick, also
called Extreme Unction. Christian
Tradition has held onto James description of this sacramental gift and we still
trust its effectiveness in for physical and spiritual illness.
Today’s gospel is a rather convoluted collection of
sayings some of which are a good illustration of way reading the bible
literally is dangerous. Although there
have been noted individuals who have taken the “cut off your body parts”
literally that is not what this text really means. In retelling Jesus challenge to his disciples
Mark is using the time honored literary tool of Exaggeration. We do this in our every day speech and
writing as well. Exaggeration puts
strong emphasis on the point being made.
The real message here is to be dedicated to growing in virtue and holiness,
removing from your life (or keeping in control) the things that cause you to
sin. It is a strong warning for us that
resting on our successes is not a good thing.
We are to be dedicated to continuously growing in Christian virtue and
mission. It is a lifelong process! We must always ‘step up to the plate” (as
Esther did in her place) when God calls us to work for his kingdom!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment