Most people I know do not enjoy conflict and usually choose “peace at any price.” Today’s Scriptures are teaching that conflict is part of discipleship. Why? Because living by Jesus’ way, being “kingdom people,” inevitably conflicts with the ways of the world in which we find ourselves. In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks with his disciples about this, and about how conflict will affect him. His teachings angered the powers that be in his world. He will be “baptized with fire” and is already “in anguish” as he reads the writings on the wall portending his crucifixion.
Notice the courage of a whistleblower in our first reading (Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10). Jeremiah the prophet has been thrown into a well by the princes of the land, with the permission of the king. Ebed-melech, a mere court official, risked his life by daring to protest to the king. “My lord king,” he said, “these men have been at fault.” The king relented and freed Jeremiah. Today we live in a political environment which in some ways is hostile to our Catholic social teaching, promoted by our recent popes. Of course some Catholics say the Church should stay out of politics. But what happens when politics results in consequences that destroy people or the environment? Catholics are called to develop a conscience that pays attention to the common good. The common good, as many Church documents say, calls us to promote and defend values of public order, peace, freedom, equality, respect for human life, the environment, justice and solidarity. But acting to promote the common good sometimes brings us into conflict with the king-like powers of our own day. Perhaps even more difficult, it also sometimes brings us into conflict with our families and friends.
Our second reading today, from Hebrews, says we are surrounded by clouds of witnesses. “Witnesses” is the scriptural word for early Christians who were martyred for their belief in Jesus the Christ. Who among us is brave enough to be martyred? Well, maybe we’re not, but are we at least brave enough to write a letter to Congress? To march in a protest? To sacrifice for solar panels or an electric car when government tax credits are withdrawn? Today’s Scriptures are difficult to hear. Let us pray for the graces we need to get past resistance, anger and discomfort so that we can pay attention to our call to care for the common good.
— Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia
The post August 17, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Common Good: a Sunday Scriptures blog first appeared on Sisters of the Precious Blood.