A Word on the Word

Thirty first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mal 1:14b-2:2:2b,8-10
1 Thes 2:7b-9,13
Mt 23:1-12

Time to settle down and reflect on this week's Scriptures for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

“They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry

and lay them on people's shoulders,

but they will not lift a finger to move them.”

(Matthew 23:4)

Jesus makes it clear that it is wrong to side with privileged persons, those who "tie up heavy burdens, hard to carry, and lay them on people's shoulders" ... those who "do all their deeds to be seen by others" ... those who "love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplace."

When it comes to justice, we Christians cannot be on the side of the privileged, nor can we say we are neutral on the issue. Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa said, "When the elephant has his foot on the tail of the mouse, and you say you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." Nor will the burdened vessels of this world. In every place and in every time, Christ's dsiciples are called to do what they can to relieve the burdens of people around them.