Word to the Wise
Saturday, May 28, 2016 - Saturday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jude 17, 20b-25 and Mark 11:27-33]SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016 SATURDAY IN THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Jude 17, 20b-25 and Mark 11:27-33] "By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?" [Mark] Jesus has just caused a terrible mess and commotion in the temple by overturning the tables of money changers and animal merchants who made their living by providing the right animal for the particular offering or the right coins for the temple tax. This action, most scripture scholars seem to agree, is what really galvanized the opposition to him. He had already made a lot of enemies: scribes, chief priests and elders, along with Herodians, Pharisees and Sadducees. All these people had a stake in the way things were being done at the time. Jesus confronts them with their rejection of John the Baptist and other prophets. When they come to question him about his action, he rejects their arguments and their who set-up as corrupt. The incident of the barren fig tree and the parable of the wicked tenants was aimed at them. Fast forward now 2000+ years. The internet among very traditional-minded Catholics who also love church politics is abuzz with questions, insinuations or attacks against Pope Francis and his initiatives. This is nothing new. All popes have had to endure similar trials. Although these folks are really monarchists, they piously trot out the Catechism and the Code of Canon Law as if these are the Ten Commandments to support their positions. It would be silly if it weren't so dangerous to the church. Pope Francis has denounced their attitudes, but I suspect we will never be fully rid of such stuff. Reading this passage today from the Gospel of Mark should alert us to the dangers of "court intrigue" and politics in our church at all levels. The Holy Spirit has to work overtime all the time. AMEN
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