Author: St. Charles Borromeo
Corpus Christi: Redeemed and Saved
The Annual Peter’s Pence collection will be taken up next week at all the Masses or on-line at https://stcharlesbklyn.weshareonline.org/PetersPence . This is opportunity to support the work of the Holy See among the poor. It is also a way of showing that we approve of the ministry of Pope Francis. For both reasons, we ask you to be generous.
FIRST READING
June 23, 2019
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus (Corpus Christi)
Genesis 14:18-20
This week’s reading from the 14th chapter of Genesis presents many difficulties in interpretation, but a very simple and profound application.
It tells the story of Abram’s defeat of a cabal of kings – really warlords – who captured the city of Sodom and took his kinsman Lot into captivity. It is through this that he has the fateful meeting with Melchizedek, the priest king of Salem, that we read today. We do however need to see this encounter from a wider perspective
Abram and his nephew Lot were tribal chiefs of nomadic herders. They needed to move from place to place as their animals would clean the fields of usable sustenance. They both prospered and it was obvious that they would have to separate. Abram told Lot to choose first, and Lot choose the very fertile Jordon Plain near Sodom. Abram received the less desirable land of Canaan.
However, the inhabitants of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD (Gen 13:13) Also, they were involved in constant warfare with the other small city states. In one such battle, the king of Sodom loses decisively:
11 The victors seized all the possessions and food supplies of Sodom and Gomorrah and then went their way,
12 taking with them Abram’s nephew Lot, who had been living in Sodom, as well as his possessions. Genesis 14:11–12
Abram was obliged to be Lots “redeemer” and free him. Rather than ransoming him, he fights his captors in armed combat:
When Abram heard that his kinsman had been captured, he mustered three hundred and eighteen of his retainers, born in his house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan
15 He and his party deployed against them at night, defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16 He recovered all the possessions, besides bringing back his kinsman Lot and his possessions, along with the women and the other captives. Genesis 14:14–16
This is not the Abram that we have previously seen. Here he is portrayed as a mighty warlord who defeats his enemies by force of arms This is one reason why this section is considered an addition to Genesis from another set of stories and legends. We will see that it is very convenient for the defenders of the Davidic line, but the basic point is in keeping with the message the author is telling us in the whole book of Genesis.
We need to go a bit further to see both.
When Abram returned from his defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were allied with him, the king of Sodom went out to greet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Gen 14:17
Note that the king of Sodom goes out to greet Abram. He is obeying protocol and accepting Abram as the dominant party. This will be important later but now we meet Melchizedek.
Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High. (Gen 14:18)
“God most high” is the most powerful god of the Canaanites. We must remember that at this time the Hebrews would have believed that each people had their own gods usually connected to a specific place, but that their God “The LORD” was unique in being trans-national and superior to the others.
The offering of bread and wine may be a religious ceremony or simply offering his men some refreshment; in any event, Abram accepts this blessing from this mysterious priest and indeed shows his appreciation by giving him a tithe of the goods.
Key however is that he is king/priest of Salem. By tradition this is or will be Jerusalem. Centuries later King David also acted as priest in Jerusalem.
They brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then David sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings before the LORD. When David had finished sacrificing burnt offerings and communion offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. (2 Sam 6: 17-18)
Although the official priests were always from the line of Aaron, the brother of Moses, they repeatedly throughout Jewish history did not fulfill their tasks, and the authors of Genesis and the Pentateuch in general wanted to remind people of the sacred dimension of kingship.
Melchizedek had a history of his own which would have influenced how this would have been interpreted when finally written down after the exile.
4 The LORD has sworn and will not waver:
“Like Melchizedek you are a priest forever.” (Psalm 110:4)
This is usually interpreted that the priesthood of Melchizedek came from another, older, source than Aaron and is superior to it. Even the first post-exile readers of this may have thought that Melchizedek was speaking for their “Lord” as God most high. Indeed, the reference to creator may be an addition to confirm this. However, this would not have been the original understanding.
If we read beyond the section in today’s selection, we see a more traditional, or at least expected development.
21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people; the goods you may keep.” Genesis 14:21
Remember that this king was defeated and now must ask Abram to return his kingdom. He is reflecting common ancient practice: a general who rescued a city kept the goods recovered but did not keep the city or its people for himself.
2 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom: “I have sworn to the LORD, God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth,
23 that I would not take so much as a thread or a sandal strap from anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ Genesis 14:22–23
Abram refuses to even accept what would have been considered his due because he has put all his trust in the Lord. To accept anything from anyone would be to violate this vow. He defeated the enemies of Sodom to redeem his kinsman not for any gain.
This is an eternal lesson. The God of Abraham will always find a way to support and guide us. Sometimes from the usual suspects like Abraham, Moses and David, but other times through a mysterious figure like Melchizedek. No matter how he wishes to connect with us, our response is to accept and know that whatever the messenger, the gift is always the Lord’s.
Blessings at 6/23 Masses for those moving in and out of the neighborhood
Summer is a bittersweet time of year. Many people will be moving into our community and will be “interviewing” parishes. If you are one of these, I hope that you will consider St Charles for your spiritual home, and I would love to speak with you. The bitter part is that about a dozen individuals and families, on the average, will moving from the neighborhood. For whatever reason you are leaving us – more space, schools or business transfer – we have loved having you and hope that St Charles has been a positive part of your life. We wish you many blessings and would like to do so publicly. All our moving parishioners will be blessed at the Masses on Sunday, June 23rd, the Solemnity or the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Please let us know if you will be attending any of these services by RSVPing with the form below. Whether you can attend or not, please know that we will pray for your continued success and happiness no matter where you go.
Most Holy Trinity – Wisdom Beneath and Above All Things
Painting: The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities, about 1675-82, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
First Reading
June 16, 2019
Proverbs 8:22-31
This week the first reading returns to the Old Testament with a section from the Book of Proverbs. It is primarily composed of short and pithy sayings expressing the ethical standards and beliefs of the day, usually referred to as Wisdom. Wisdom in this sense was not exclusive to the Jews and was used throughout the ancient Middle East. The Book of Proverbs was a compendium of reflections used to train young members of the governing class to be wise leaders. The Jewish elders wanted to show that they could answer the questions of their young in a way that would have made sense to their children but also reflected their traditions and belief in God. Wisdom may also be found in the books of Job, Wisdom, Ecclesiastes and many Psalms.
The Book of Proverbs is particularly interesting because it collected materials from about 1000 to 350 BC, from the court of King Solomon to the rebuilt temple in occupied Jerusalem. As I mentioned it is mostly composed of short statements, but the section we read today is different. It is a song within a song. As we saw the first time we read this book, the first third is a song sung by a father to his son on the virtues of following wisdom and living a good life. Today’s reading is a song from Wisdom herself within this song.
Before looking at it directly, we need to look at its context. It occurs after the father has told his son about “Dame Folly”. She preys on young men who have not been living an upright life.
10 And lo! the woman comes to meet him,
robed like a harlot, with secret designs—
11 She is fickle and unruly,
in her home her feet cannot rest; Proverbs 7:10–11
The unaware follow her:
22 He follows her stupidly,
like an ox that is led to slaughter;
Like a stag that minces toward the net,
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
Like a bird that rushes into a snare,
unaware that its life is at stake.
Proverbs 7:22–23
Compare this to Wisdom:
1 Does not Wisdom call,
and Understanding raise her voice?
2 On the top of the heights along the road,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
Proverbs 8:1–2
She does not lurk in the darkness nor does she seek to entrap youth, but speaks openly and with understanding, appealing not to base instincts but to that which is highest in us.
8 Sincere are all the words of my mouth,
no one of them is wily or crooked;
9 All of them are plain to the man of intelligence,
and right to those who attain knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction in preference to silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:8–10
Note she also speaks for herself. She offers more than information or even good counsel:
17 “Those who love me I also love,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
Proverbs 8:17–18
Wisdom offers a personal relationship which is greater and offers more than the folly of the world. We begin today with the clear statement that Wisdom is of divine, not human making:
22 “The LORD begot me, the first-born of his ways,
the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; Proverbs 8:22
Although Wisdom was international and thus not purely Jewish, the author of Proverbs carefully and subtly weaves his moral instruction into the traditional Jewish cosmology though the Hebrew creation myth.
We read
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no fountains or springs of water;
Proverbs 8:24 (NAB)
Compare this with
1 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth,
2 the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Genesis 1:1–2 (NAB)
These parallels continue for several verses, and end with
30 Then was I beside him as his craftsman,
and I was his delight day by day,
Playing before him all the while,
31 playing on the surface of his earth;
and I found delight in the sons of men. Proverbs 8:30–31
Creation is a key concept for Jews and is unique in the ancient world. For most people, the world came into being in many ways from accident or spite, but not by the actions of a powerful and loving God. As we look at the world around us, the extent and depth of chaos calls this belief into question. That there is an order to the world and that it reflects a caring God is a daring statement.
Key to this is that Wisdom is hard wired into the world. Creation indeed was a celebration and one which gives joy.
5 while David and all the Israelites made merry before the LORD with all their strength, with singing and with citharas, harps, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals. 2 Samuel 6:5
Because wisdom reflects the way the world was formed, we can only find happiness in living a “wise life”. This chapter of the Book of Proverbs concludes:
33 instruction and wisdom do not reject!
Happy the man who obeys me,
and happy those who keep my ways,
34 Happy the man watching daily at my gates,
waiting at my doorposts;
35 For he who finds me finds life,
and wins favor from the LORD;
36 But he who misses me harms himself;
all who hate me love death.”
Proverbs 8:33–36
Our ancestors found comfort, strength and guidance in the knowledge that there is an order and purpose in the universe. The Lord not only created the sea and sky, but also the moral universal as well. To deny this structure would have been as foolish as denying the physical world. It is to surrender to Dame folly.
Like them we live in a time and place which has seen many developments in society and culture. Many of these are from other lands and nations and can offer us important insights. We have much to learn from psychology, anthropology and the sensibility of the Global South. We should not ignore this opportunity. Yet, this can lead to a confusing mix of ideas and theories. As we live in the post-enlightenment Global North, the most likely result will be that they will be interpreted according to cultural individualism. Like our ancestors, we have the assurance of God that the world has been created by Wisdom which has put love beneath and above all things.
You must be logged in to post a comment.