Word to the Wise
Monday, July 16, 2018 - Monday in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
[Isa 1:10-17 and Matt 10:34-11:1]"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple - amen, I saw to you, he will surely not lose his reward." [Matthew]
JULY 16, [Our Lady of Mt. Carmel]
Catholics are familiar with the term, "Real Presence," when speaking of the consecrated bread and wine at the celebration of the Eucharist, or of the reserved host in the tabernacle or in the display case we call a "monstrance." We seem less aware of the "Real Presence" of Christ in other ways. Yet, the Second Vatican Council calls our attention to some of these ways in the document on the liturgy (SC #7) when it speaks of the presence of Christ in the assembly and in the word proclaimed, for example. But Christ is also truly present outside the celebration of the Eucharist. The Gospel According to Matthew makes it clear in the words from today's passage quoted above that Christ is truly present in those who go out to preach the word of God: "Whoever receives you, receives me."
This same gospel makes it clear that Christ is truly present in the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned and immigrant people in our midst. [Matthew 25:31-45]. This scene is dramatically presented on the wall of the Sistine Chapel as if to remind us that amidst the glory and splendor of Church buildings and ceremonies, those mentioned in that gospel passage await our continued attention, for they are also the real presence of Christ in our midst. Current executive, legislative or judicial efforts in our society to make life more difficult for these brothers and sisters of ours should be a subject of serious concern to anyone who believes in the real presence of Christ in our midst. Isaiah's thundering prophecy in the first scripture today adds to this consideration.
Those who preach and live the gospel bring Christ to Christ, as it were, even if those who whom we speak have no explicit faith. Jesus promises a reward even for a cup of water to those who receive the missionary. The hardships that come from our efforts are part of knowing Jesus. But the rewards are ultimate! AMEN