Sunday, March 21, 2010

Solidarity Sunday - Travel to Toronto for Meetings

Nicolas Poussin, Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery (1653); oil on canvas, Louvre, Paris, France

Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year "C") March 28, 2010 - PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL OF FREEDOM [Texts: Isaiah 43:16-21 [Psalm 126]; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11]

This Sunday and next, the gospels of the day present us with text-critical issues. Today's gospel offers us a story that is included within the Fourth Gospel but clearly did not originally belong to it. Next Sunday, the Passion Narrative of St. Luke contains two verses (22:43-44)--about an angel coming to console Jesus during an ordeal in prayer so great that His sweat became like drops of blood--which many scholars consider unauthentic, that is, not part of the evangelist's composition.

The manuscript tradition concerning Jesus' Passion-time prayer is quite divided. It is present in many fine manuscripts, but missing from some significant others. Scholarly judgment is divided as well, most arguments claiming that manuscript editors added or omitted the narrative on Christological grounds--to prove that Jesus was truly human or to remove a depiction that showed Him as too human.

In prayer during the Passion, Jesus' emotional state became so intense that He perspired profusely as a result. The sweat beads multiplied on His body as if they were flowing clumps of blood and fell to the ground. Jesus realized the awful fate awaiting Him and readied Himself to face death because God, through the angel, had strengthened Him for His mission.

Though a decision to include or exclude part of the Lukan account of Jesus' prayer on the Mount of Olives may appear subjective, it is another matter with the story of the woman taken in adultery. It is ruled out of the text or relegated to a footnote in most modern versions of the Bible. This is because editors have noted that it is missing from virtually all early Greek manuscripts and the earliest versions in ancient languages (Coptic, Syriac, the Old Latin).

All the early Church Fathers omit the narrative when they comment on chapters seven and eight of St. John. As well, the words and phrases used to tell the story are found nowhere else in John but are characteristic of the Synoptic gospels, especially Luke. Which may explain why it appears in some manuscripts after Luke 21:38, where Jesus is teaching in the Temple area.

Still, there can be little doubt that the event depicted occurred, even though in its written form it did not belong in the canonical books from the beginning. A similar story of a woman accused of many sins is told by Papias and recorded by the church historian Eusebius. The story bears parallels, too, with several other episodes in the synoptic gospels (notably Luke 7:36-50).

In Jesus' time, the scribes were learned officials whose roles in the faith community combined those of lawyers, ethicists, theologians, catechists, even jurists. In this instance, they caught a couple in the act of adultery, though they placed the focus on the woman alone. This inequity in the treatment of the adulterers cannot help but evoke a sense of compassion in those who hear the story. The question they posed placed Jesus on the horns of a dilemma. Would He uphold God's law and cause an unpopular punishment--death by stoning--to be carried out? Or would He instead disavow the law, thereby undermining His credibility as a preacher of God's ways?

Jesus' only response was silence and the enigmatic gesture of writing 'with His finger on the ground'. Then came His challenge that cut all present to the heart, 'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her'.

All walked away, 'one by one, beginning with the elders'. It was a powerful prophetic gesture that left Him alone with the sinful woman. He elicited from her the confession that no one had condemned her. This led to Jesus' two-fold declaration of her liberation: 'Neither do I condemn you'; and, 'Go your way, and from now on do not sin again'.

Paul describes the resurrection of Jesus as the only source of authentic freedom. Earlier in his life as a good Pharisee, he had prized righteousness gained from observing the law. But having come to know the righteousness that comes 'from God based on faith', his outlook was transformed, made new: 'I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.'

* * * * * *

SOLIDARITY with the developing world

Today Catholics express their concern for the truly needy, even desperate, of our world through a gesture of solidarity, sharing the fruits of Lenten discipline with a donation to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. I encourage all to be as generous as possible.



Echoing my own sentiments, Archbishop Michael Miller, CSB published the following message in this week's BC Catholic under the title: "Plenty of Food, Too Little Sharing"


The “global South” refers to peoples, mainly in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, who struggle every day to provide clean water and sufficient food for their families, as well as basic health care and education.

In spite of the fact that the world produces enough food to feed everybody, every day over a billion people go short of food and over 25,000 die from hunger-related causes.

In its annual fall action campaign, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace works for the poor of the global South by educating Canadians and inviting them to take specific measures in bringing about changes in existing unjust laws and practices both here and abroad.

Through Development and Peace the bishops of Canada also appeal to you every year on behalf of the poor and marginalized of the global South. This is a concrete way of giving Lenten alms.

I invite you to be generous in the collection taken on Solidarity Sunday, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 20 and 21. The proceeds assist development projects that aim to make permanent improvements in the lives of our brothers and sisters most in need.
Many of you donated with extraordinary generosity in response to the emergency in Haiti. I now urge you to support the ongoing work of Development and Peace by playing your part in bringing about the transformation of our world in the Gospel spirit of justice and peace.

Be assured of my prayers for you and your families during this holy season of renewal and conversion of heart.


* * * * * *

Off to TORONTO for a few days....

This afternoon, I will fly to Toronto for the semi-annual meeting of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO).

I hope to visit with Ottawa's seminarians, and get to see some of my Jesuit brethren as well.

Lighter than usual blogging may be anticipated this week.

76 comments:

  1. You always say blogging will be lighter than usual, but I trust that your blog will be full of pictures of your trip to Toronto! Godspeed and journey mercies.
    Blessings
    Deborah

    ReplyDelete
  2. Development and Peace ought to be replaced and in the meantime really investigated by other than D&P insiders and a few Bishops.Time to clean that house!
    Do you think you might spend more time with diocesan seminarians leave the Jesuits to Jesuits?They seem to have more problems than they can solve in Oregon,Germany, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If there is anything that his Grace does is to be with his people; he spends time with his seminarians more than anyone else. He cares for them and is accessible to them. By the grace of God, he is a good and a true shepherd.
    Your Grace, please do continue to visit your brother Jesuits! I bless God for the Jesuits who came to evangelize Canada and other parts of the world and continue doing so with bishops (priests) like you! Peace!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Really trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading..
    metin2 yang
    metin2 yang

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well done. Your blog has all things that I have been looking for. What I like about your blog is that picture. It is like the last supper but they are not in the table and they are all standing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very interesting blog. It's interesting to follow you around the world and read your thoughts. Thanks you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really great post, Thank you for sharing This knowledge.Thank you very much for sharing this knowledge.this graph really conveyed the part which i was looking for.

    ReplyDelete
  8. his is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing, I'll be linking.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice information, many thanks to the author. It is incomprehensible to me now, but in general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Thanks again and good luck!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi there,
    Really nice job,There are many people searching about that now they will find enough sources by your tips.
    Also looking forward for more tips about that

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can feel the passion that you have in sharing the goodness in life. I'm so thankful that I have read this article because it enlighten me in some way. Bournemouth Locksmiths are also inspired in helping the people of Bournemouth that needs a locksmith.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have the need to nourish the spiritual side of my life and this article adds something to it. If you ask me on how do I insulate gable wall, then my answer would be, its Igoe.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Through Development and Peace the bishops of Canada also appeal to you every year on behalf of the poor and marginalized of the global South. This is a concrete way of giving Lenten alms.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, Great post,Nice work, I would like to read your blog every day Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  15. the Passion Narrative of St. Luke contains two verses (22:43-44)--about an angel coming to console Jesus during an ordeal in prayer so great that His sweat became like drops of blood--which many scholars consider unauthentic, that is, not part of the evangelist's composition.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So how is the Nike vapor soccer shoes changed? Visually. the new Vapor football boots have undergone the same new paint work as the Nike Mercurial Superfly boots and now feature the updated asymmetric, fluorescent.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Twenty years from now you will be more discomfited by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe port. Catch the trade airs in your sails

    ReplyDelete
  18. You invariably say blogging will be easy than usual, but I trust that your blog will be full of information and pictures of your jaunt to Toronto!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is one of the highly informatics and attractive blogs that has not only educated also informed me in a very effective manner. There are very few blog like this one I have read.

    ReplyDelete
  20. History is my favorite topic because in this topic you gain much information and knowledge that why i choose history blog.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I wonder how was your trip to Toronto.I never been there but I heard that's a beautiful place to be.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for sharing this kind of important information. and especially for sharing your own experience with these.

    ReplyDelete
  23. It was a wonderful chance to visit this kind of site and I am happy to know. thank you so much for giving us a chance to have this opportunity! I will be back soon for updates.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me

    ReplyDelete
  25. “I was looking for this information in search engines and thank god I got this information here. Thanks a lot”

    ReplyDelete
  26. A very usefull article – A big thank you I wish you dont mind me writting about this post on my website I will also leave a linkback Thank you”

    ReplyDelete
  27. "I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this post. This has been an inspiration for me. I’ve passed this on to a friend of mine."

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is a brilliant blog post. What i was actually looking for the past 2 hours. Thanks for the share and really treasure your effort.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I always enjoy reading such posts which provide knowledge based information like this blog. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  30. WOW ! this i really incredible. I’ve bookmarked youi blog and I’ll be back to read more in the future my friend! Also nice colors on the layout, it’s really easy on the eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  31. That is very good comment you shared.Thank you so much that for you shared those things with us.I'm wishing you to carry on with Ur achievements.All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Normally I don't read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great article. Quit Smoking Tips.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I had been searching on this topic for a long while but I was not able to find great resources like this. Thanks for such an interesting article here Neopoints For Sale | http://www.theneopetsstore.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for sharing this useful information! Hope that you will continue with.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I’ve found it very helpful. There must be charging stations everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for sharing such an interesting information.

    ReplyDelete
  37. This is a good and an informative article. It’s good to be here. I will share it with my friends.

    ReplyDelete
  38. This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last week.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi… I read your post and I want to say that it is very good and informative. I like it and I appreciate you for your effort.Thanks..

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your article is extremely impressive. I never considered that it was feasible to accomplish something like that until after I looked over your post

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks to Google, I found it what i was looking for. I have just bookmarked this page and will come and check later for some more stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Now that is a what i call a great blog. Very informative and useful for people like me. Thanks for sharing with us.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Its really helpful and informative Way of explanation. Please also consider visiting my site, I will be glad if I could be helpful for you.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Excellent article, I will recommend my friends to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Nice article, thanks for sharing this information. Good to know that this topic is being covered also in this web site.

    ReplyDelete
  46. This is an awesome blog. Actually I was totally wondering about this topic,so thanks for writing.Nicely written as well.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your posting is extremely impressive. Looking forward more like this.
    seo company

    ReplyDelete
  48. That's really massive exposure post and I must admire you in this regard. Dawn Travels

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thank you for sharing these ideas. It amazes me how you manage to choose your favourites. Good luck to the next post
    Airport Taxi

    ReplyDelete
  50. Great. I am searching very well like the info.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Awesome post thanx for sharing this one realy helped me :)
    Labaik Tours
    Umrah Packages
    Hajj Packages

    ReplyDelete
  52. must say that overall I am really impressed with this blog. It is easy to see that you are passionate about your writing. If only I had your writing ability I look forward to more updates and will be returning.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hello, I am Angel Laris from Georgia. I wish can influence people around the world
    Poker Online

    ReplyDelete
  54. Bandar Ceme Terbaik Permainan Ceme online adalah permainan yang menggunakan kartu domino.

    ReplyDelete
  55. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  56. toptan iç giyim tercih etmenizin sebebi kaliteyi ucuza satın alabilmektir. Ürünler yine orjinaldir ve size sorun yaşatmaz. Yine de bilinen tekstil markalarını tercih etmelisiniz.

    tutku iç giyim Türkiye'nin önde gelen iç giyim markalarından birisi olmasının yanı sıra en çok satan markalardan birisidir. Ürünleri hem çok kalitelidir hem de pamuk kullanımı daha fazladır.

    Digitürk paketler en güncel hali ile sitemizde listelenmektedir. Tüm kredi kartlarına vadde farksız taksit imkanı ve anında kurulum garantisi.

    nbb sütyen hem kaliteli hem de uygun fiyatlı sütyenler üretmektedir. Sütyene ek olarak sütyen takımı ve jartiyer gibi ürünleri de mevcuttur. Özellikle Avrupa ve Orta Doğu'da çokça tercih edilmektedir.

    yeni inci sütyen kaliteyi ucuz olarak sizlere ulaştırmaktadır. Çok çeşitli sütyen varyantları mevcuttur. iç giyime damga vuran markalardan biridir ve genellikle Avrupa'da ismi sıklıkla duyulur.

    iç giyim ürünlerine her zaman dikkat etmemiz gerekmektedir. Üretimde kullanılan malzemelerin kullanım oranları, kumaşın esnekliği, çekmezlik testi gibi birçok unsuru aynı anda değerlendirerek seçim yapmalıyız.

    iç giyim bayanların erkeklere göre daha dikkatli oldukları bir alandır. Erkeklere göre daha özenli ve daha seçici davranırlar. Biliyorlar ki iç giyimde kullandıkları şeyler kafalarındaki ve ruhlarındaki özellikleri dışa vururlar.

    ReplyDelete
  57. You offered all the simple facts as well as physiques in the majority of attractive manner. Umrah Packages

    ReplyDelete
  58. Every one of your information are exemplary and also include exceptional information and facts that gets hold of the emphasis of readers. Umrah Packages 2023

    ReplyDelete
  59. Solidarity Sunday encourages travel to Toronto for meetings. As someone focused on Umrah Packages 2024, I appreciate initiatives fostering collaboration. Excited to explore Toronto while attending meetings. Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete