Proverbs 21:1-6. 10-13 / Luke 8:19-21
Proverbs talks about the poor: If you ignore them, you will be ignored.
John R. Coleman, former president of Haverford College, wanted to get a first-hand feel for the plight of New York City's homeless. So, he spent ten days on the streets without money or shelter. A diary of those ten days was published in the New Yorker magazine. One entry reads: "I walk much more slowly. I no longer see a need to beat the traffic light. Force of habit still makes me look at my wrist. But there's no watch there, and it wouldn't make any difference if there was. The thermometer has become much more important. I go back to the heated grate on 47th Street. The man who was there last night is already in place." Coleman's experience affected his attitudes toward the homeless in a dramatic way.
****
How do we deal with our neighbor? Justice is more important
than sacrifice, and we should hear the cries of the poor. How responsive are we
to the needy? "Poverty . . . teaches men to do evil." Euripides
****
The Old Testament is divided into a few sections. There is the Pentateuch or the Torah which is the first five books of the Bible. Then there are the historical books, the prophetic writings and the wisdom books or wisdom literature. The wisdom books consist of the Book of Wisdom, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), and Sirach.
Proverbs highlights the choices of the wicked and those of
the good. Proper conduct has more value than the execution of ritual. Pride and
arrogance lead to ruin. Diligence and care reap benefits; haste leads to loss.
The proud and haughty person proceeds with little care for his neighbor. He who
shows no concern for the cry of the poor will one day be unheard himself.
Transposed to a slightly higher key, the conduct of the just
person as found in the Wisdom literature is also that of the true family of
Christ, highlighted in today’s Gospel. The brother and sister of Christ work
for the good of their neighbor, avoid arrogance and pride, are sensitive to the
needs of the poor. We can all profit by the Old Testament ethic and, as we read
the books of Wisdom, make our own examination of conscience.
Today’s Gospel carries us back to another Lucan narrative (in chapter 2), the
loss of Jesus for three days during the family visit to Jerusalem. Jesus
remains respectful of Mary and Joseph but also emphasizes the priority to be
given to his Father’s concerns. There are times in our own lives when the
concerns of God take precedence over the best of human interests.@
****
As we can see from the 1st reading, the truths of life are
clearly and simply spelt out - act virtuously and with justice, be hardworking,
be compassionate and charitable.
Yet, what is clear and simple may not necessarily be easy to carry out, as we
are often fooled into thinking that what is simple is easy.
After his parables on the sower of the word and of the lamp, Luke, using the
incident of Mary and Jesus’ relatives seeking him out in the crowd, sums up by
saying that Jesus’ new family is made up of those who hear the word of God and
live accordingly. Accepting the gospel transcends family ties. This is no
direct rebuke to Mary, as we know that she received and responded to the word
of God and pondered it in her heart. Like her, do we put it into practice?
Some of the lessons which apostles have to learn, are not so
easy. An apostle has to give up his family. His work, the people crowd
Jesus said that those who hear the Word of God and put it into practice are the ones who are closest to Him. Yes, reading and hearing about the wisdom of life is one thing. Putting it into practice is another thing. Certainly, we want to live a meaningful and a God-centered life with the wisdom that is already found in the Bible. May we become what we read, and in doing so may we become more and more Christ-like to others.
****
Let us Pray: Lord our God, you have called all who
listen to the Word of your Son and put it into practice to be the new family
you love. Address each of us personally, that we may understand your word, receive
it with ready hearts, like Mary, and let it become flesh and blood in all our
actions. We ask this through Christ our Lord.