October 19, 2013

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
Lectionary: 472
Reading 1 ROM 4:13, 16-18

Brothers and sisters:
It was not through the law

It was not because he kept the Ten Commandments nor the ordinances of the Mosaic law (they were not yet established)

that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants

that God made the promise to Abraham and his children

that he would inherit the world,

that he would receive a beautiful homeland. 

but through the righteousness that comes from faith.

But this was promised to Abraham because of his faithfulness.

I'd like to pause here because this verse seems to directly contradict another verse in Scripture.

Genesis 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;  5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

 The Mosaic Law and the Ten Commandments were not yet established.  But Abraham obeyed the Law which God had written in every man's heart.  And it is because of his faith and obedience to God that Abraham was promised that his children would inherit the world. 

For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift,

Two things here:

1.  Faith is a gift from God.   

2.  And God promises His gifts to those who have faith in Him.

3.  Therefore, there is nothing which we have which was not given to us.

and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,

In the past, I've said that when we approach the Sacraments, we are like the people whom Jesus healed and whose children He saved.  We come to Him asking for faith and salvation and in the Sacraments, He grants it to us.

Here, St. Paul reveals that we are also like Abraham.  God called Abraham as He calls us all (Gen 12:1).   And He made Abraham many promises.  And Abraham believed those promises and obeyed God in order to receive those promises.

In the same way, God has called us and has made many promises to us which we will receive if we submit to the Sacraments.  And we will received these promises when we submit to the Sacraments (Acts 2:38-39).

not to those who only adhere to the law

Here, St. Paul reveals that the Jews are not cast away, as long as they adhere to the Law of the Commandments of God.  In fact, no human being who obeys the Law written in his heart will be cast away, but will be found righteous in the Judgment.

but to those who follow the faith of Abraham,

But all of us who are Christians will receive the very same gifts, but we won't have to wait until the Judgment.  But will walk upon Mt. Sion right here and now.

who is the father of all of us, as it is written,
I have made you father of many nations.

He is our father in the sight of God,
in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into being what does not exist.

This is a spiritual teaching.  Abraham is our father in the faith.  Therefore he is our spiritual father and not necessarily our father in the flesh.

He believed, hoping against hope,
that he would become the father of many nations,
according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.

And our father, Abraham, believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.  Therefore, you should also believe.

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43

R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations –
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
For he remembered his holy word
to his servant Abraham.
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

God is trustworthy and always remembers His promises.  Although we have always failed to keep our end of the bargain, God saves us inspire of ourselves.

Gospel LK 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.

Believe in Jesus and He will believe in you.  We can't be Christians at home and atheists when we go to work.  We can't be Christians in Church and continue in sin when we go on vacation.  What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas.  God sees everything which we do and we will pay for every sin we commit.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.

The sin which is not forgiven is the sin of UNrepentance.  Those who do not turn to God can't be forgiven because they don't ask forgiveness.

When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

The Holy Spirit dwells in us and will guide us when we are persecuted in the name of Christ.