Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

Many years ago, I was driving from Wollongong to Moss Vale on a very hot day.  Going through Albion Park, I pulled into a little roadside store for an ice-cream.  I went to pay for it and the shop-keeper said, “Sister, let me give you that – I can’t get to Mass much.”  Immediately I recalled what had been drummed into me – and no doubt into her – in primary school, that “charity covers a multitude of sins.”  I was touched, and many years later, still tell the story of this small kindness.

That was brought to mind by today’s gospel where Jesus speaks of a cup of cold water, given to one who belongs to Christ, not losing its reward.  I apparently belonged to Christ, and what a responsibility not to carry that identity falsely!

Another point brought to mind was how valuable this gospel excerpt is in relation to ecumenical and interfaith understanding.

“Anyone who is not against us is for us.” Are we to be more fussy than Jesus in our aloofness and lack of acceptance?

Then there is the shocking second part of the gospel!  Are we to take seriously this advice to cut off hand or foot or pluck out an eye that causes us to sin? 

“Did Jesus really say that?” one member of our group asked. 

Well, yes, apparently he did and we can’t ignore it.  Right, these bodily organs could be an occasion of sin, but on a spiritual  level, what occasions of sin do we still have to contend with? 

Mixing with people who encourage us to gossip or drink too much or tell dirty jokes, or scorn religion, watching decadent  movies or TV programmes, allowing ourselves to be seduced by the materialistic and false values of advertising? 

Are these the limbs we should cast off or at very least take steps to correct?  Maybe this is the kind of violence we have to do to ourselves.

Let not the shocking nature of this gospel leave us untouched but prompt us to seek out and eliminate those occasions – maybe very small – that lessen the quality of our lives.

And on a happier note, let us relish the opportunities to do small kindnesses to others.

Helen Ryan OP
27 September 09