Word to the Wise
Monday, November 6, 2023 - Monday in the 31th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rom 11:29-36 and Luke 14:12-14]Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To God be glory forever. AMEN. [Romans]
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2023 MONDAY IN THE 31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Bls. Bonaventure Garcia Paredes, OP, Hyacinth Serrano Lopez, OP, and Companions - martyrs in the Spanish Civil War 1936]
St. Paul concludes his teaching on the status of Jews in God's plan of salvation with words that form a "doxology" - a hymn of praise. [We are familiar with the"doxology" just before the Great Amen that ends the Eucharistic Prayer: Through him and with him and in him, O God almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours forever and ever. AMEN]
In today's passage from the Letter to the Romans, Paul recognizes that we are not judges of God's actions or decisions or promises. The Jews remain God's "Chosen People," The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." Where they fit in the light of the saving event of Christ is left to God and not to our judgment or wisdom. Paul believes that in the end God will receive Jews in God's own way because of God's promise to Abraham.
I was once asked to speak to a group of students who belonged to a Christian group that is active on campuses around the country. I spoke on the subject of "spirituality," but all the questions were about "Who can be saved?" I tried to help them understand that the ultimate judgment of any person or group of persons is not in OUR power to determine other than what we have been promised by God acting through Christ and the Holy Spirit. St. Paul's doxology says it all! The gavel of judgment is in a merciful and loving hand. AMEN