Word to the Wise
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - Tuesday in the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
[Genesis 13:2, 5-18 and Matthew 7:6, 12-14]Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
How does one be generous and inclusive while at the same time being protective of something sacred? The context of Jesus' remark quoted above appears to refer to sharing certain practices of the community with Gentiles (who were characteristically referred to as "dogs" and "swine" by Jews in that time). While the concern may have been more one of the community after the time of Jesus, the principle (and the dilemma) remain the same. One faces it often in distributing communion at Mass! When I was a pastor in San Antonio, on more than one occasion, the janitor would bring me a host that had been pasted on the back of a pew! One hopes that this was not done in hatred but still one must cringe at what amounts to desecration! How would I or any other Eucharistic Minister know as long as people all come up and follow the example of the person in front of them. That's just one example (a graphic one) of the dilemma of generosity in matters of sacred importance. How does one protect what is sacred and holy without making it almost inaccessible! It is easy to get into the fortress mentality where perfection becomes the enemy of the good! Certainly some form of education and preparation, or a commitment of some kind is reasonable! Canon Law even permits a certain access to the sacraments of penance, eucharist and anointing of the sick to Christians who are non-Catholics (not to mention the sacrament of matrimony!). But questions have to be asked unless there is an emergency of some kind. I'm using church things as my examples here, but the dilemma is broader than that. It extends to anything we have. It is possible to gauge the importance of something to one when one reflects on one's reaction to an opportunity to share it! This is one big reason why I pray for wisdom every day! AMEN
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