XXXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
THE WORD OF GOD IS EFFECTIVE
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
It is almost the end of the liturgical year, and with that the readings help us to prepare ourselves with a reflection about where our hope lies. This Sunday in a special way it emphasizes those of us who have a role in the Church as leaders or pastors. But this is not just for priests, rather it is a call for the entire people of God in our evangelizing mission: have I evangelized others?
“You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction.” (Mal 2:8a) This was the struggle of the true prophets like Amos, like Isaiah, like Jeremiah, who were looked down upon by the institutions. There is no doubt that the true prophets, no matter how much style they had or how much depth, they always had strong words against the religion of death, the religion of institutions, the kind that look for following the law for the law’s sake. We should be able to recognize a religion of life and a religion of death and know how to choose.
“Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.” (Mt 23:3) The Gospel today clearly reflects the attitudes of Jesus with the leaders who accused him and brought him to trial. The controversies that preceded in Jerusalem have shown the separation between the religious ideas of the scribes, priests and leaders and the Messiah of Nazareth.
Throughout the history of the Church there has been a struggle for freedom, and at many times the same accusation can be felt, since the behavior and formality that many of us live and act in the Church does not leave room for prophetic inspiration, a charismatic religion or the action of the Spirit. I love the last line of Canon Law, exactly the last canon #1752: “and the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law in the Church, is to be kept before one’s eyes.” This does not imply that we can disregard the role that the Magisterium has in service to this spiritual project. We cannot disregard the Magisterium of the Church, because if it has put norms in place it is for the good of the Church, which in her being Mother and Teacher, has helped her continue for almost 2000 years.
In this Gospel passage Jesus finishes by saying: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt 23:11-12) In this way, all Christians, each of us in particular, in the Church, because of our personal freedom which cannot be lost, we are called to contribute to building up the People of God, of the community of salvation, according to the call that we receive from the Spirit.
God speaks throughout history through signs and the men and women in whom he has placed his image. And this word, when it is not manipulated by those in charge of announcing it – priests, theologians, evangelists, catechists, ministers, etc. – it is effective to transmit life, light and hope. And it is a word that can touch each one of us and we can live it out.
May we let ourselves be transformed by the Word of God!