Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday Mass Readings

Sept 11, 2001 – The twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed. Sept 14, 2001 - Just three days after the tragic event, President Bush declared the day to be observed as a national day of prayer and remembrance. Sept 14 in the Catholic tradition is the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In the most mysterious of ways America got the chance to reflect upon the events of those days under the shadow of the cross. The following weeks and months were times when churches overflowed as people prayed for protection. Partly out of fear and partly out of confusion people flocked to places of refuge for comfort, for help and perhaps even answers. Some overenthusiastic evangelists interpreted the death of some three thousand people as God’s punishment for Americas increasing godlessness. Others said that this was God’s way of bringing America to its knees. I personally did not subscribe to any of these views. However, for some time there was a sense that America was returning back to God. But, as tragic as the events of Sept 11, the fervor waned away as quickly as it had appeared. Seven years down the road many people may not even remember the day they spent in prayer as a nation. There is something about human nature that makes steadfastness a challenge. This is not just a modern problem. There are enough commentaries in the Old Testament about the fickleness of the people of Israel. In today’s first reading the prophet Hosea says to the people of Israel, “Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away” (Hosea 6:4). Israel always played hot and cold with God. Particularly, when it was in danger it would offer sacrifices to God as if to appease him. Hosea’s prophecy in today’s readings comes in the background of a certain political and moral degradation of Israel as a nation. We must remember that the original people of God who established themselves in the Promised Land remained as a single nation for a relatively short period of time. After King Solomon the nation was divided into two: Israel in the North and Judah in the South. Israel enjoyed political and economic prosperity under Jeroboam II. But as Assyria, the neighboring kingdom grew in strength under Tiglath Pileser III (745-727 BC), moral degradation began to set in. Of the last six kings of Israel, four were murdered and the fifth was taken into captivity to Assyria. In general people flagrantly violated their Covenant with Yahweh. According to Hosea, Israel’s decimation as a nation in 727 BC was the result of their violation of the Covenant.
If we read the gospel reading carefully, we realize that Jesus was in the same geographical territory that Hosea prophesied – in the north. Although both the Northern and Southern territories was under Roman rule, the people of these areas still harbored enmity and hatred. But Jesus, although from the South, moves in the midst of the people like Hosea did. Whereas Hosea pronounced judgment, Jesus said, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Mt 9:13).

Let me offer three practical implications:

1. Let me begin with the last thought. As Hosea prophesied, was the destruction of Israel a punishment for Israel’s sin? Certainly the author of the book of Hosea interpreted the events of 727 BC that way. However, it is like asking the question, “Was 9/11 God’s punishment of America?” Or as Sharon Stone, the Hollywood actress said, “Was the earthquake in China a punishment for the way China dealt with the protest in Tibet?” Different people are bound to give different interpretation to these events depending on which side we belong. But Jesus certainly does not move among the people with the attitude of condemnation and hell-fire. Rather, he fulfills the prophecy he made through Hosea that “He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth” (Hos 6:3b). Jesus came to talk to them like he did with the Samaritan woman; he came to eat with them like he did with the tax-collectors and sinners; he came to call even sinners like he did with Matthew. Jesus teaches us that relationship with God is not about fear, but rather, about love. And because of Jesus here we are at this Eucharistic table. Here Jesus talks with us, sits with us, dines with us, and becomes part of us.

2. The Pharisees play an important role in today’s gospel reading. Seeing Jesus dine with the tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees asked the disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (Mt 9:11) Jesus reply to them is, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Mt 9:13). What is the meaning of this phrase? First, Jesus is referring back to Hosea 6:6 (today’s first reading) which says, “I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifice. I would rather have my people know me than burn offering to me.” Mercy here is not used in its restrictive sense of pity. Rather, Jesus is saying to the Pharisees that in spite of their ritual perfections, they seemed to be incapable of understanding faith as an act of love. Matthew, on the other hand, even though he was a sinner, not only sat and ate with Jesus but became a disciple. Abraham, according to Paul in today’s second reading, did the same thing. He hoped against hope in his relationship with God. If God is saying anything to us today it is this that we make our faith and act of love.

3. We have to come back to the original question of the fickleness of human nature. Why cannot we as a nation be as we were on Sept 14, 2001? We are being called to steadfastness today knowing that God comes to call sinners. We are being challenged to mature faith like Abraham knowing that God loves mercy. We are being challenged to be open to the call of God like Matthew was in today's gospel reading (Mt 9:10). We are being called to love and accept people like Jesus knowing that others have imperfections.

As we sit at the table with Jesus today in this Eucharist, let us bring our lives to him like Matthew. Let us allow Jesus to transform us. Let us follow him as a disciple. May our lives become like the spring rain for others. Amen

- Fr. Satish Joseph