Gospel Reflections for January 25 2015
The first reading recalls God sending Jonah to the very bad city of Nineveh, a city in what is now present day Iraq.
In previous verses God outlines just how terribly bad the Ninevites were, and sends Jonah to convert them, which he does amazingly fast. The Ninevites accept God’s description of their behavior and repent completely. We need to send a modern day “Jonah” to Radical Islamic terrorists soon!
God sets a good example. When people do bad things, we should accurately describe them.
There is much debate today about how to describe the awful behavior of terrorists; should we name them “Radical Islamic Terrorists” or not? I believe that title is accurate.
Islam today is divided into several large sections. About 80% are “Sunni Muslims” located throughout the Middle East, and about 20% are Shia Muslims, located mainly in Iran, with smaller sections in Iraq and Syria. Each group has large subgroups within them that interpret Islam in extremely strict and fundamentalist ways. The Sunni Muslims have the radical Wahhabi sect in Saudi Arabia, the violent Hamas group in the Gaza Strip, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Boko Haram group in Nigeria, and the ferociously cruel ISIS, now in half of Syria and Iraq. The Shia Muslims have the Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon, and the entire Iranian government now ruled by extremist Ayatollahs (Shia clergy).
Taken together, these groups represent a significant percentage of Islam today. Radical Islamic terrorists have a lot of official Islamic infrastructure behind them!
Therefore, it is entirely accurate to call these terrorists both “radical” in that they represent an extremist subsection of the larger Islamic world, and “Islamic” in that they follow the guidelines of many authoritative Islamic leaders.
After the death of Mohammed, there was a period of several centuries when Christians and Muslims lived in relative peace. Clearly, this new strain of radical Islam is not normal …nor is it small.
The term “Radical” today is accurate in that it correctly places these recent terrorist groups as “outliers” to the mainstream Islamic community. The term “Islamic” is also accurate in that they derive considerable support from large sections of official Islamic leadership today.
The Ninevites converted when they accurately examined themselves according to the name that God and Jonah accurately gave them. We should do the same now.
President Reagan famously and accurately called the Soviet Union an “Evil Empire.” The Polish people recognized that earlier; and eventually the Soviet people and all Eastern European peoples under Soviet domination accurately recognized it as well. They rose up and courageously overthrew that evil government in 1989. Now is the time for all Islamic people to recognize the evil aberration that Radical Islamic terrorists represent and do the same.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Image: Public domain work of art.
On CNN tonight there has been a lot of coverage on the death of King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia and the resignation of the leader in Yemen, It is my understanding King Abdullah was a kind man and a friend to the United States. They both were instrumental in trying to eliminate the Radicals, How do you think the absence of these leaders will effect the Radical groups power and influence in that region ? I know that you have a great deal of knowledge on the subject. Thank you !
YEs, King Abdullah was a kind man, and began a slow process of reform in Saudi Arabia. However, the new ruler is even better, and his second-in-command is even better still. I am very happy with the changes in Saudi Arabia. That is why so many world leaders went to Saudi Arabia last week.
I wish you would go on FOX and explain all this in simple language, as you did here, for all to hear. Thank you. What a scary world we’re living in now. Another beheading today (one of the Japanese men), and Obama does NOTHING. Because we are showing no leadership around the world now, the wicked are taking advantage. I keep praying for peace. God bless you, and I look forward to our next Bible meeting. Jeanie
Thanks for your comments. It takes a lot of time to understand events in the Middle East in order to clarify them. I really have to check the area in the news almost every day!
Thank you, Father Dave for the enlightening explanation of facts. It seems that many commentators are reluctant to describe the facts. I agree with Jeanie Merrifield that it would be nice to see you on FOX News explaining the facts. But even better if you were on NBC or CBS where liberals could also consider the truth.
Maybe a start would be to ask Jonathan Morris if, as a FOX News contributor, he would consider bring this set of points into the open.
To me it would make sense that a modern Jonah could enter Iran and announce to them that they are on the brink of disaster, and that they would then join the community of those who value life and freedom; they would move into the world of peace and freedom. Maybe that modern Jonah would be disappointed that the Iranians were not destroyed in flames because of their support of Radical Islamic terrorists. But I think the rest of us would simply be pleased to have a new nation of friends in the world.
Yes, we would love nothing more than to have peaceful trading partners throughout the Middle East. Prosperity awaits those who choose the path of peace!
Father Dave, Your commentary is excellent!!! The question is how do we convince the world, the Islamic people ,the United Nations , the Security Council, the nations of the world that we can not live or tolerate hate and killing!!! Everyone should unite to stop this barbarism!!!They do not know love, God’s love!!! I am so glad I am Catholic and a Christian and it is only through God’s loving grace and our prayers to Him that can stop this evil!!!We need intense prayer and Christian leadership with our loving God guiding us to end this tyranny!! We were born to love not to hate!!!!!
Love, franca!
Well said!
An excellent explanation and comparison with the old testament reading. It takes courage to tell it like it is and present a logical solution to cogent Islamics.
On another subject I was inspired by the program this morning at the blessing of the St. Francis statue in honor of Father Joe. I truly believe that your care and guidance has been a major factor in his remarkable ability to turn his cancer into a beacon of God’s love for us. Your homily brought tears to my eyes and many others.
God bless you. The Spirit chose a loving, caring sheperd for his people
Thanks so much for your comments. I am glad so many came on Saturday. I know it meant a lot to Fr. Joe.
Hi Father Dave,
Thanks for your insightful piece, on what I consider to be one of the biggest threats to the world at the moment.
All I can do myself is pray for the conversion and the release from deception of those under what I consider to be oppression. And of course, also to pray for the innocents whose lives are being threatened/ taken each day by the evil acts of these people.
I remember the Fatima prayer that many of us recite at the end of each decade of the rosary: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MOST NEED THY MERCY”
Helen
Yes, there is a great need for peace in the Middle East. I am glad the new ruler of Saudi Arabia has declared his intentions to change the way Islam is practiced and to fight more vigorously against terrorism. Good news at last!
Thank you Father Dave for your wonderful and spot on analysis of the Radical Islamic element. While the world can pray for their change of heart, the real change can only come from within, as Islamic individuals and in each Middle Eastern country impacted by this horror.
Also, thank you for the beautiful statue dedication for Father Joe. It was evident what a special bond you two have. I will remember your words, of Father Joe accepting his cancer as a “gift”, and will try to apply this to obstacles, big and small, throughout my life.
Have a wonderful week. Linda Travis
Thank you!
Fr. Dave,
We’ll researched, clearly written, and spiritually enlightening – heartfelt gratitude for this piece and the recent other two pieces that touched on Islamic radicalism.
Regrettably, I am unable to find any near term hope or solutions for Islamanic extremism currently underway in the world, primarily owing to Qur’an scriptures as follows (this from Muhammad himself about his disdain for the Jews):
Q. 5:60 Say (O Muhammad to the people of the Scripture): “Shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from Allah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allah and His Wrath, those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines, those who worshipped Taghut (false deities); such are worse in rank (on the Day of Resurrection in the Hellfire), and far more astray from the Right Path.”
This quote is in contradiction to the verses quoted from the Bible about the Jews as God’s chosen people. Did not Allah “remember” what he told Abraham and others? There seems to be a lot of self-serving comments in the Qur’an that reveal Mohammed’s hatred of the Jews in his area rather than the words of Yahweh.
What’s most interesting to me is that I see the same animus today from friends of the three faith traditions (Jews, Muslims & Christians), and frompeople whom I happen to like. It appears to me that it’s going to take another Jonah like miracle to stop the bloodshed.
There is now a brand new source of hope for the Middle East. First, there was Abdel Sisi and his remarkable speech to 1,000 Muslim leaders telling them to get Islam in order, and now the new ruler of Saudi Arabia, and more importantly, his second-in-command have clearly indicated they intend to mobilize all of Islam against the terrorists. Stunningly good news! The new Ruler is King Salman, but the important person is Prince Mohamed, who will also be his successor.
Forgot to add to the ending of my earlier response: “Have you packed your bags yet”
Not yet. This will be my 12th trip to the Middle East so I have the packing list down pretty good. I can’t wait!
First and foremost your relationship with Father Joe is beautiful and we all felt your love you have for your most loving of brothers. It was an honor to be with , our Beloved priest. I wish that Father Michael would have the same consideration as Father Jim Stehly has for his brother priest and lets him concelebrate in his wheelchair.
Father Joe was able to do this on Christmas Day, and you could see the glow that came across his face. He always did love saying mass and that to be taken away from him is horrible.
Your devotion is felt throughout the church and we all know you will be there for him always.
It was great seeing you, we miss you terribly, but we know you are close so that is a blessing for us.
God Bless you Father Dave
You have a place in Heaven for all your love for your people
Love Respectfully
Verna
Thanks for your message. I enjoyed the ceremony very much on Saturday for Fr. Joe. I know he was very moved as well. I know he feels lonely now so having so many there was great.
Breaking down the various groups and subgroups of radical Islamics is very helpful. It can be confusing unless you know “the cast of characters”
We’ll be looking forward to your “Arab Spring” University presentations Feb 23 & 26 at St. Julie’s for more insight into the subject.
Saturday’s dedication was memorable in its pure spirituality. A quiet peaceful sunbathed courtyard, encircled by humingbirds became a grand cathedral; the outside world symbolized by the all too familiar Santa Anas. When leaving Bible Study on Tuesday nights, we look to the brightly lighted rooms of Father Joe, and feel his loving care for all.
What more can we do for him besides prayers and cards? It’s not as though we can go knocking on the rectory door! There were many who were not aware of Saturday’s event, and regretted very much that they had not known.
Blessings always,
Rose Mary and Bob
I was not aware of the ceremony for Fr. Joe. I would like to have attended. The Garden’s of the World is a beautiful setting and a perfect place for the dedication. Hopefully, there will be another occasion to honor him and his work. He means so much to St. Paschals parish and students. When I saw him at the school Christmas concert he seemed joyful and at peace!
Fr. Dave,
Relevant, accurate, and timely! Best explanation I’ve heard about the world’s largest threat. Thanks!!
That Shroud Guy,
Well said Fr. Dave. It is very important to call things what they are. God bless you!
Dear Father Dave:
This is a wonderful explanation of what is happening in the world, and as always, you give us hope, faith, & Love.
Father Joe’s celebration was extremely emotional and we all felt the love you have for him. The fact that he could get up and stand for 10 minutes and be in his glory, was you! Your homily brought us all to tears!
Thank you Father Dave for all you do to keep to us on track of what is going on in the world,, and for the special times we had SPB.
God Bless you always
Thank you!