Scripture Study
5 September 2010 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
The readings for the Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time ask us to look at our commitment to discipleship and the process by which we make decisions. Where do we seek wisdom and how committed are we to the values and ideals of Jesus? What has been the cost of discipleship for me? Is there good news for me to be found in that cost? What is required for me to move closer to radical discipleship?
NOTES on First Reading:
This reading is taken from Solomon's prayer for wisdom which makes up all of Chapter 9. In it Solomon seems to equate Wisdom with the Holy Spirit.
* 9:14 "Timid" means uncertain.
* 9:15 This verse does not call matter evil; it merely says that our deliberations and understanding is weak and earthbound because of the body and its concerns.
* 9:17 "Counsel" here and in verse 13 probably refers to what God wishes people to do rather than God's plan.
NOTES on Second Reading:
The letter to Philemon is very short, only one chapter long. It comes with a very interesting context. Onesimus was Philemon's runaway slave. He met Paul while the Apostle was in prison, probably in Ephesus. Eventually Onesimus was converted and baptized by Paul. Paul wrote the letter for Onesimus to carry back with him when he returned to Philemon. Philemon as owner had the legal right to severely punish Onesimus for running away or even to execute him as a warning to other slaves. Paul reminds Philemon that Onesimus is now his brother in Christ. This relationship precludes any harsh treatment. We have no record of Philemon's response. We don't know what he did. In some sense each of us are called to make similar choices. How do we respond to the radical equality that baptism creates when it demolishes the social and economic barriers separating us and forms the bonds linking each of us to Jesus and to each other as brothers and sisters? How do we react when the requirements of the Gospel clash with social and economic conventions in our lives?
* 9 The word, "presbytes", meaning "old man" appears in all manuscripts. Some prefer to read it as "presbeutes" which means ambassador as in 2 Cor 5:20 and a few insist that "presbytes" itself can have this meaning (2 Macc 11:34). Most consider this meaning unlikely in this context and think that Paul is referring to his status as an elder in ministry and in age.
* 10 This refers to Onesimus's conversion (See 1 Cor 4:15,17; Gal 4:19). It may also be a play on words referring to the name, Onesimus, which means "Profitable One" or "useful." Implication is that now, as a Christian, Onesimus will live up to his name.
* 14 Paul does not challenge Philemon's right to the slave but expresses a desire to have him stay to help him.
* 15-16 The Greek translated "was away from" literally means "was separated from" and is a euphemism for running away. Forever has a double meaning including both greater faithfulness in this life and a new relationship as brothers in Christ that even death can't break. They are brothers now since they are both God's children as Christians.
NOTES on Gospel Reading:
* 14:26-27 The English translation seems somewhat more harsh than the original because English does not normally use such extreme language. The use of extreme terms such as love/hate is part of the manner of expression of the place and time. The point is that total commitment is required of a disciple of Jesus. Too much softening of the language may deprive the statement of its power. The totality and completeness of the commitment is stated starkly. Nothing, not spouse, not children, not even life itself is to be placed ahead of our commitment to Jesus.
* 14:28-32 These two parables focus on the need for proper reflection before making the choice and taking action. Those who wish to follow Jesus must carefully consider the cost of discipleship and then after choosing, they must steadfastly refuse to be deterred by any obstacle or required sacrifice. They must be willing to give up anything and everything to follow Jesus.
* 14:33 This verse is not a command to give up all your possessions. Rather it requires that one must be willing to renounce all for the sake of the Kingdom.
Courtesy of: http://www.st-raymond-dublin.org:80/scripture.php - St. Raymond Parish, Dublin, CA