Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 25th Tuesday in Ordinary Time
[Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13 and Luke 8:19-21]"Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you." He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."
It is a common saying (almost a "proverb?"): "It's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know that counts!" There's no question that this saying has some experience behind it. In fact the entire political lobbying industry is based on it! However, Jesus rejects this notion on more than one occasion in the gospels, at least when it comes to his kingdom!! The particular instance in today's gospel shows just how deeply he expects discipleship to run. Even his own family do not come first. Real kinship with Jesus comes from "hearing the word of God and acting on it." Still another misconception shows up in Proverbs today, which Jesus also rejects in the gospel. The saying in Proverbs is "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." This expression can be found in the prophetic literature, and Jesus tells the Pharisees to "go and learn the meaning of these words, 'It is mercy I seek and not sacrifice.'" In other words, no amount of worship or temple activity is going to avail if we fail to do what is right. As the Book of Proverbs also says today, " He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard." Kinship or fancy offerings are not the criterion for discipleship. There's no "influence peddling" or bribery when it comes to the kingdom. It's all about the message: "Get it and do it!" AMEN
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