A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 7, n. 44)
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – September 27, 2009 *
“God’s Liberality”
BIBLE READINGS
Nm 11:25-29 // Jas 5:1-6 // Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
(N.B. Series 7 of BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year B from the perspective of the Second Reading. For reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year B based on the Gospel reading, please scroll up to the “ARCHIVES” above and open Series 1. For reflections based on the Old Testament reading, open Series 4.)
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
This Sunday’s liturgy gives us an insight into God’s liberality and our Christian call to be generous and broadminded in imitation of our compassionate Lord who wants us to mirror his all-embracing love. The Old Testament reading (Nm 11:25-29) underlines the truth that God’s initiative cannot be hemmed in by human conventions or religious structures. Eldad and Medad, left in the camp and unable to join the assembly of elders formally gathered at the tent for the outpouring of the gift of prophecy, were also given that gift. The spirit of God moves where he wills. Nobody could claim him as an exclusive possession nor restrict his creative movement. God does not impoverish anyone by spreading his gifts among many. Indeed, there is no room for jealousy and a defensive stance when dealing with the service to the community and the common good.
God’s liberality and compassionate love are exquisitely incarnated in his Servant-Son Jesus Christ, whose goodness is all-embracing. The Divine Master wants to instill in us the spirit of openness and liberality. In this Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48), it is reiterated that no one can lay exclusive claim to the Reign of God revealed in Christ. Even those who are not in the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples can invoke his name to bring healing and wholeness among his people and to help bring about the definitive coming of God’s Kingdom. In forming his followers in the ways of solidarity and universality, Jesus gives them encouragement, promising that even the simplest expression of Christian concern will have its reward. He also delineates the God-given dignity of a human person and reinforces the truth that even the simplest, most vulnerable one is blessed with the inestimable dignity of divine life. Thus, those who lead the innocents astray will be liable for the harshest kind of judgment. Using a hyperbole about physical mutilation, Jesus dramatizes the supreme importance of entering into the kingdom of God no matter what the cost. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than to belong to the reign of God. Anything that jeopardizes our participation must be eliminated and purged from our lives.
In the Second Reading (Jas 5:1-6), St. James comes to grips with a sinful situation that jeopardizes the Christian community’s call to serve the kingdom of God and to mirror his liberality. The selfish desire for possession brings about violence to the innocent and militates against human dignity and the beautiful unfolding of our Christian vocation.
Harold Buetow comments: “Today’s Second Reading laments that some people, instead of being prophets as Moses and Jesus had wished – that is, speakers of God – place their trust in money … An angry James wants to show the ultimate worthlessness of riches and to show how detestable some who own riches can become. James condemns the rich who hoard their wealth, cheat laborers of their just wages, and live in a luxurious way that is unmindful of the poor. He, like the rest of Scripture, does not condemn wealth as such, but insists strenuously upon its responsibilities and on the perils that surround the person who has it. The more you own, the more you are owned; it is good to have money, if money is not all you have … The desire for possessions can eat at a person like a fire. This all-consuming fire can cause a person to be oblivious of the needs and rights of others – even those to whom we have immediate obligations, like employees … James insists that we can not be right with God unless one is just.”
Manila Hotel’s former PR officer Gwen Carino writes about her close encounter with hotel guest Michael Jackson in December 1996. Her testimony serves as a counterpoint to the portrait of the uncaring rich depicted in the passage from St. James. The grace of God calls us to manifest God’s liberality and compassion for the poor and to all.
MANILA, Philippines – When I was a PR officer at Manila Hotel, I was
assigned to head the annual Orphan’s Christmas Party where 300 children from
different orphanages around Metro Manila were treated to a day of fun and
surprises. It was one of the biggest projects on my plate and it was such a
challenge to focus on work the day before the big event, knowing Michael
Jackson was billeted in the hotel. Two nights before, I had been fortunate
to be part of his welcome line at the hotel lobby together with the rest of
the PR and sales staff but was content enough to see him walk by.
The day before, a guy claiming to be Michael Jackson’s aide from Mamarao
Productions came to the office. I couldn’t recall his name but he looked for
the “person in charge” and said his boss had read the announcement about the
event in the Dear Guest flyers we had circulated to all the rooms a week
before. Michael wanted to know how he could help. His aide went up to the
Penthouse and down to the PR office several times after we gave our
suggestions. Michael offered to fill up the 300 loot bags with goodies and
toys, candies and chocolates. But after getting close to 50 sponsors, it was
actually a problem for us to dispose of everything. So I thought hard…how
can the King of Pop meaningfully join the
affair? I couldn’t possibly have him be with the kids in the palayok
game or the pabitin as he might end up being mobbed! And since the
annual event was really all about giving, I mustered all my courage and told
the Mamarao guy that the best thing I could think of was for Michael to
literally be present to help distribute the loot bags, sign autographs and
pose with the children for photos. “Wow, that may not be easy. You’re
talking about handing goodie bags to 300 children and
I can just imagine the chaos. We’ll see, Ms. Jacinto. I’ll get back to you,”
he said.
Lunch break came and it was the most hurried one I ever took in my entire
life. It wasn’t until after 5 p.m. that Michael‘s aide came back and said,
“Michael is more than happy to do whatever you suggest. How do we go about
it tomorrow?” I wanted to scream. I had to calm myself and regain composure
as the Lizzie Maguire in me said, “Get real, get back into focus.”
We agreed that Michael would join after the games, musical program and
snacks, and at the last part to give out the loot bags. My colleague Annette
Africano and boss Dulce Agnir requested additional security around the
garden and the stage area as this was where we decided to distribute the
gifts. We made sure the children would form an orderly line.
Then the moment arrived. It was at the Champagne Gardens on Dec. 7, 1996. I
was surprised to see him walking towards us, guided by his aide. Michael
came up to me as I had to brief him. “Hi, how are you? Thanks so much for
letting me in, I know I’m early ’coz I didn’t want to miss the program.” I
said, “Are you kidding? Thanks so much for volunteering! Here’s what,
Michael, why don’t you just sit here and watch the musical numbers before we
get into the gift giving. I will have to tweak the program a bit.” He
replied, “Sure, anything you say… (pausing to look at my name tag) Gwen!” I
was stunned at how incredibly sweet and modest he was. And in my mind it
was, “Oh my God, this is really happening!”
Amazing how he patiently sat through the whole program. Carol Banawa, then
an Ang TV mainstay, couldn’t believe MJ was watching her perform. She
had her red blouse signed by him right after her number. Then followed
Stefano Mori’s dance number. Later, his back up singers and dancers came up
on stage followed by select kids from different orphanages who danced to the
beat of Billie Jean. Oh, the smile on Michael’s face was just amazing.
Then we announced that Michael will be distributing gifts onstage. I
explained to him that there’s a loot bag for the younger kids and another
for the older ones and he nodded. The thrill and excitement he gave those
children was incredibly touching. It was in between the gift bag
distribution that I caught a glimpse of MJ, not as a performer but as a
person. It was one in the afternoon. Santa Claus (David Endriga, a friend
of fellow PR officer Francis Capistrano) was with us. The heat was scourging
and I was worried that Michael felt so hot with his black long-sleeved
signature attire and hat. “Are you alright Michael? We can let you take a
break,” I asked. He said, “I’m cool Gwen. Just imagine how Santa feels
inside his velvet suit and beard. We’ll be fine.” I never heard him complain
or say a word about how hot it was or how long the line was. He had the most
beautiful manners. He didn’t even ask for a drink or a towel to wipe his
sweat but one of our banquet staff made sure he got a glass of fresh orange
juice.
An hour passed and we were halfway through gift-giving when we noticed that
the garden was getting filled up. Suddenly, there were people from the
media, politicians, officials and hotel guests including those in a wedding
reception at the nearby Champagne Room who deserted the newly-weds just to
get a glimpse of the King of Pop. “Oh oh, this isn’t supposed to be, I’m so
sorry,” I said. “It’s all
right, we’ll get through it,” Michael said smiling. As we finished giving
out the last loot bag to an 11-year-old orphan, a new line of more kids and
adults formed. Michael’s bodyguard, Wayne, said. “We can leave now.” Michael
replied calmly, “We can’t leave when there are still people in line. It’s
Christmas, dude.” I felt my heart beat faster and the hair on my arms and
the back of my neck stood up. He wasn’t just the most electrifying
performer, but the most generous person.
One of the most memorable moments was when a lady came up to him for an
autograph. Laughing and holding his tummy, he said “Hey Gwen, you’ve gotta
check this out”. He whispered, “It’s a blank check. The lady is making me
sign on a blank check.” We laughed hard and little did we know that it
wasn’t even half of the comedy. He later showed me and Wayne other stuff
people would use or pick up on the ground when they couldn’t find paper for
him to sign on. One lady made him sign at the back of her elegant, designer
Filipiniana gown. One teenager came up to him holding a dead leaf and
another one, a popped balloon. Imagine how our laughter ballooned as well.
It was an amazing, genuine experience. At one point he asked if I was going
to catch his History concert and I said “tomorrow night.” “Oh, you’ll have a
blast!” Michael told me. At this point he became concerned about the stage
as adults outnumbered the kids. His face had nervousness written all over it
but he still didn’t complain. He tapped the wooden floor with his foot
several times making sure it was sturdy enough not to fall apart. “I’ve
experienced the stage collapse and I just want to make sure we’re all safe
here,” he explained. Half of me wanted the line to finish because we were
literally melting and worried about our safety, but half of me didn’t,
knowing that once the line ended, Michael will leave.
At some point it did end. I managed to get an autograph for my sisters and
me before our general manager, Clem Pablo, requested him to sing Give
Love on Christmas Day. Cesar Sarino, one of the hotel’s officials,
addressed his thank you
note to the King of Pop. Then I saw his guards and aides whisking Michael
off stage. I said in my mind, “Oh man, I didn’t even have the chance to say
goodbye.” Suddenly, I saw Michael return on stage and say, “Thanks so much
to you and your team, Gwen. This really means a lot.” Then he held me beside
him and said, “I’ll see you at the concert.”
As Michael Jackson is laid to rest and returned to pristine condition in the
afterlife, these two incredible acts of the King of Pop — volunteering for
charity and unselfishly spending time with the less fortunate, will forever
be the way I will remember this man.
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
1. Do we give vent to feelings of jealousy when God uses those who do not “belong” to carry out his saving plan? Are we prone to elitism and exclusivity? How does the humble stance of Moses impinge on us?
2. Do we respond positively to Jesus’ call to universality? How do we manifest God’s goodness and liberality? Do we dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of the kingdom of God?
3. How do we assess and relate to the wealth and riches of this world? How do we care for the poor and marginalized? Have we been unjust to workers and the defenseless and vulnerable? How do we manifest God’s all-inclusive love and his liberality to the people around us?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Loving Father,
help us to be inclusive in our love and service of your people.
Please give us a deep awareness that everything comes from you
and enable us to be thankful for everything and always.
By our acts of caring for the poor and the afflicted,
for the victims of injustice and those in need of solidarity,
may we praise you with trust and humility
and give witness to the world to the abundance of your love.
Your liberality is astounding.
We continue to love and bless you,
now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“Your wealth has rotted away.” (Jas 5:2a)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
A. ACTION PLAN: Pray that God’s liberality may be shown and experienced by today’s world. Endeavor to be all-inclusive and comprehensive in your love and service to one another, especially the poor and the marginalized.
B. ACTION PLAN: To enable us to be receptive to grace and “the wisdom from above”, make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR: A Weekly Pastoral Tool (Year B, vol. 5, n. 44).
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US