By Fr. Andrew Kelly
TENTH SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – JUNE 9
An essential part of the believing community’s mission is caring for poor, vulnerable, marginal people. It’s essential because this is what Jesus did.
Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 7:11-17) is a prime example: “As he (Jesus) approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow…”
In Jesus’ time, a woman’s economic security depended on her relationship to males. The woman in Sunday’s Gospel was a widow who now had no male child. The woman’s only economic security would be dependence upon the mercy of others.
“When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.”
Jesus gave the newly risen man back to his mother, thus guaranteeing her economic security.
The community’s compassionate acts are the sure sign that Jesus’ mission of God’s mercy is still alive as the community cares for poor, vulnerable and marginal people.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for June 9-16
Sunday
1 Kgs 17:17-24
Gal 1:11-19
Lk 7:11-17
Monday
2 Cor1:1-7
Mt 5:1-12
Tuesday
Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3
Mt 5:13-16
Wednesday
2 Cor 3:4-11
Mt 5:17-19
Thursday
2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6
Mt 5:20-26
Friday
2 Cor 4:7-15
Mt 5:27-32
Saturday
2 Cor 5:14-21
Mt 5:33-37
Sunday
2 Sm 12:7-10, 13
Gal 2:16, 19-21
Lk 7:36—8:3 or Lk 7:36-50
