A Reflection for Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Find today’s readings here.
“To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.”
When I was in college, John Paul II was still the pope. At the Newman Center I attended, many people in the community admired him, but certainly not everyone. In discussion groups, some of the older community members would talk about the greatness of John XXIII. Fewer spoke of Paul VI, but he had his supporters and detractors as well. It could get pretty heated.
Today I hear about people missing Benedict XVI, and others who believe Francis is a saint walking among us. Whether it’s church, sports or politics, we can get stuck in echo chambers that reassure us that our team or our way is better.
Paul, I think, is addressing a similar phenomenon in his first letter to the Corinthians. Near the beginning of the letter, he urges his readers to set aside rivalries and to ensure there are no divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). These early Christians are called not to align themselves with one early church leader over another, but to instead align themselves with Christ. Today’s first reading continues that thought. To be Christian is to belong to Christ.
Belonging to Christ can be pretty scary. In part, that must be why Peter responds as he does in the Gospel: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). It’s easier to affiliate with just about anyone else. Christ can be pretty demanding.
But in the end, as we pray in today’s Psalm, we really do belong to God: “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Francis belongs to God. So does John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. And so do you and I.
“Do not be afraid,” Jesus tells his followers. They left all behind and followed him. We can too.
