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Daily Scripture

+ 3rd Week in Lent

We are guided by perennial truths and live by perennial values.

Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 Matthew 5:17-19

Teach them to your children and to your children’s children. [Deuteronomy 4:9]

Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. [Matthew 5:17]

Indeed, Jesus did not abolish the ancient law and prophets. The ‘rule of law’ remains in effect and contain perennial truths to guide us as we make our way along life’s journey.. It is true that the commandments are summed up in the law of love – love of God and love of neighbor.

Though we begin each day with the firm intention to live that law of love, it is not as simple as it sounds in the midst of confusing realities and conflicting values. Instead of telling the truth, we often slip into prevarication to hide the truth. Some politicians are good at this and not a few churchmen have been guilty of the same. On one hand, few people hold us accountable when we tell someone we love her new hat though in truth we may consider it the most ugly hat we have ever seen. On the other had, integrity makes greater demands on our moral comportment. Respect for the goods, rights, services and property of others, public or private is very demanding and is rooted in the fifth and seventh commandments and the list goes on.

A friend of mine starts his day with a wonderful ritual. Making the sign of the cross on his forehead, his heart and his lips he prays, “Lord, help me to think good thoughts of my neighbor, to speak well of others and to have positive feelings that lead to good deeds.” Amen!

PS At the conclusion of Mass this morning, I acknowledged that women do not wear hats any longer so I suggested replacing it with, “I love your new wig”… then I thought in the interests of gender equality, I should have added “hair piece.”

A bit of humor in the midst of a challenging day can help to make our burden’s lighter.

Still another view on 'It's politics... isn't it?'

Tuesday May 13, 2008

A slippery slope!

I listened to Rev. Wright’s full homily (not the network’s You Tube snippet), the interview with Bill Moyer and the C-Span broadcast of his speech at the Press Club. It reminded of a Holy Name meeting years ago when the speaker (African-American) addressed the issue of social justice, rejecting the role of violence and destruction employed by union movements. In response to the audience irritation at the comparison, he said, “I speak so loud, you may not hear my words”. Sounds like Rev. Wright!

Had he been polite and courteous at the Press Club, the outcome may have been different. But as you know, and this writer demonstrates, we have our own prisms. We hear things through the filter of our apperceptive mass including the accumulated prejudices and biases we don’t care to acknowledge. His key words demonstrate this:

Translation: We are people of good faith but this is not our problem. We have tried to help, but they have wasted the opportunity. Move on!

The writer prefers that the wronged adopt forgiveness and fails to acknowledge responsibility for the continuing injustices demonstrated by African-American’s poverty, joblessness, infant mortality and the crime and incarceration rates. Here in Philadelphia, a predominantly Black city, more than 40% of the people live below the poverty line.

Yes it does make a difference too many Americans, especially the younger generation, who understand bias and prejudice whether it be race, gender, religion, sexual disposition, in the Church or on the public stage.

“Experience” is the new code word!

The NY Times column called the Clinton use of the race card shameless (I was a supporter), but it is ‘win at any cost’. Yesterday, WV exit polls showed that more than 20% of the white voters considered race in deciding to vote for her. And they had the guts to admit it. 51% said Rev Wright affected their decision. He just made it easier on them.

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