For The Bulletin Of Jesus for Who He is, and Jesus responds by August 23, 2020 saying this insight was given to him by the heavenly Father. Jesus then names him “Peter,” a Greek term meaning “Rock” (though in Aramaic the terms is Kephas). Prior to this, no person in recorded history had been named “rock.” It is as though Jesus named someone “Window.” For us today, who are so familiar with the name “Peter,” it sounds standard. But in antiquity, this nickname would have sounded odd. And for that reason, most scholars believe the name “Peter” goes back to the historical Jesus. Jesus then says that on this “rock” (whether “rock” in this instance refers to the person of Simon Bar-jonah or his confession of Jesus THE 21ST SUNDAY IN as the Christ is debated) he will build his ORDINARY TIME “church.” The term “church” appears in the gospels only in Matthew, and only here and in Matthew 18/17. Historically churches From Father Robert developed later, so it seems anachronistic The man came to the scripture class seeking for Matthew (or any evangelist) to use the not only answers by ammunition. His term during the historical ministry of Jesus. Protestant friends were telling him that Peter It’s partially for that reason that the phrase is was not the first pope. They had scripture thought to be a Matthean addition. Even so, passages to back up their claims. He was Matthew is informing, or reminding his sure there was something in the Bible he audience that Peter was a spokesperson for could use to counteract their arguments. the group, confessed Jesus as the Christ, but Now the man was asking the instructor for even this was not due to his insight but from three other scripture passages he could use a gift of the Father. that would trump theirs. He was a bit disappointed when the instructor said that’s As Catholics, we read scripture holistically, not the way Catholics read scripture – how not cherry-picking verses from here and he had wanted the equivalent of three aces to there, and then applying them in a context play during the next go-around with his divorced from their own. A Catholic Protestant friends! approach to Scripture seeks to understand the context in which the book, letter, or The story in today’s gospel reading from verse was written; the intent of the author, as Matthew is a favorite in Catholic-Protestant much as possible, and how it corresponds to dialogue or even debates on the role of Peter other Scripture. If we are looking for and the development of the papacy. But the Scripture verses to use in theological debate papacy is a long way from the setting of this with other Christians, we are playing the particular story. Instead, if we read it on its wrong game. terms, we see that Simon Bar-jonah confesses Jesus as the Christ. He recognizes 1 we will become familiar with Christ Himself. Today’s scripture and preaching are sure to raise questions. What have you believed about the gospel you have heard today? What were you taught? In the first reading, God says of His servant Eliakim, “I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot.” Which spiritual leaders do you look to for their constancy and steady guidance? The psalmist sings, “When I called, You Living The Paschal Mystery answered me.” When have you had an There is a saying about the Bible, experience of being answered by the Lord? “Familiarity with Scripture is familiarity with Christ.” Though Catholics have not St. Paul in the second reading writes to the had a long history of being familiar with early church at Rome, “Oh, the depth of the scripture, there are more and more Bible riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” studies available today online and in How do you continue to grow in your faith parishes, from university level to adult faith intellectually? formation. Commentaries abound and even the New American Bible is available for free And, finally, in the gospel, Peter answers with its footnotes on the USCCB website. Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I Since Vatican II, Catholics have been am?” by proclaiming, “You are the Christ, encouraged to become familiar with the Son of the living God.” How do you Scripture, “The soul of theology” (according announce who you believe Jesus to be to Vatican II itself). through your words and actions? Jesus Himself knew Scripture and often cited it. We would do well to do the same. When we learn about the Bible, read footnotes, examine commentaries, and pray with the text, we likely put to death ignorance and instead raise to life knowledge and understanding. To live the paschal mystery is to become familiar with Scripture, not so we can cite passages in theological debates, but so that the wisdom On behalf of our parish, we join in of sacred writ washes over us as waves on a congratulating the following couples who beach. Over time, the waves shape the entered into Holy Matrimony this past beach as the Scriptures shape us. Let us live weekend: the paschal mystery by embracing Tyler and Dani Jorgensen; Lucky and familiarity with Scripture, for in so doing, Kaitie Thammalangsy; and Arjun and Anastasia Dhillon. 2 May God richly bless your unions and continue to give you all that is necessary for At the border strong and growing faith, hope, and love. Pencil Preaching for Sunday, August 16, 2020 by Pat Marrin Spirituality Once again last Saturday morning, our wonderful group of church cleaners came together to continue to maintain the church, even though we are unable to use it. Our thanks to: Jun Bajet, Carole Miller, Reno and Thelma Benasfre, Mency Osborne, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be Rose Salamanca, and Al Cosce. The done for you as you wish” (Matthew 15:28). bathrooms were cleaned by Finian Anyanwu and Steve Rojek. Twentieth Sunday of the Year Isa 56:1, 6-7; Ps 67; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Matt 15:21-28 Jesus encounters a desperate woman at the border pleading for her daughter. This Gospel story could have happened yesterday, and the drama spans the centuries from first century Palestine to the Rio Grande Valley. How are we supposed to respond to foreigners in need? Jesus’ meeting with the Canaanite woman has its own context, a theological theme familiar to Jews who believed that God’s salvation was universal rather than exclusive to Israel. Other nationalists argued that the promise was only for the “Chosen People.” Jesus seems to begin there, but the 3 pagan woman at the border shows him that nationalism when confronted with tears and the Spirit is already at work beyond the “lost prayers of parents carrying the belief that sheep of the house of Israel,” and her faith their long journeys would bring them to a expands his ministry and that of the early nation once founded on immigrants, the land church for whom this story was composed. of opportunity instead of a place of terror Matthew’s faith community in Antioch was and indifference? already half pagan converts. Empathy requires insight and experience, But the heart of the story is about and for most of us these issues compete with compassion overriding both nationalism and so many concerns, some real and some religion. The woman is also teaching Jesus being generated by the politics of an about the power of a mother’s love for her unprecedented campaign season in a divided child. She will not take “no” for an answer. nation. How can we be better informed to She calls him Lord, Son of David, help decide the future of the country we acknowledging that God is with him. When want to be, hope to be? he ignores her, she persists. When he insults her with a common Jewish slur for pagans as A challenging but even-handed documentary “dogs,” she outdoes him with her own image series on Netflix titled “Immigration Nation” of hungry puppies getting scraps under the is one way to take our faith virtually and table from the children. His resistance vicariously into the world of suffering and becomes astonishment, and Jesus knows that hope where the soul of America will be God has already granted her plea. Where either lost or redeemed. To better understand there is faith, there are miracles. today’s Gospel and to prepare for the elections, consider viewing it as an act of For many Americans, the border is far away Faithful Citizenship. and the refugees and immigrants in our midst are living in the shadows as they harvest our food, process our meat, fix our roofs, make beds and clean bathrooms in motels, care for our elderly in nursing homes, essential workers during the pandemic, hoping for relief and recognition from our national policies. In 2018, many parents crossing the border as asylum seekers lost their children before being imprisoned or deported. High profile, politically motivated directives focused on Dear CYO Families, all undocumented persons instead of criminals, deporting thousands of workers Due to the current, continuing pandemic, all and stranding their families without income. CYO activities in the Diocese of Oakland will be suspended until at least January 1, Mixing God’s Word and contemporary 2021. This action is based on the issues is why we break open the scriptures uncertainties of the progress of the from the pulpit and in our hearts. How pandemic, the challenges in keeping our many women at the border are begging for young people, volunteers, and families safe their children? Will compassion override in sports, and in accordance with guidelines 4 from the State of California along with directives from the Alameda and Contra Five things Pope Francis Costa Health Departments.