Gospel Reflections for June 10 2018
Who is my family?
Jesus completely overturns ancient and modern Middle East culture in today’s Gospel.
Jesus lived in a culture dominated by loyalty to your family. Loyalty was everything. Families always took care of their own. I have come to know this culture well.
This weekend I am travelling with 50 people to the Holy Land for my annual Archaeological Pilgrimage. We will visit the places where Jesus walked both in Israel and Jordan. This will be my 13th trip in a row. I offer this trip every year and always look forward to it!
Family loyalty still dominates Middle East culture today. For example, one of our hotels is owned by now good friends of mine. The owner once asked me how to improve his services. I told him to have the most friendly and responsive staff. He agrees, but then says that owners often cannot just hire anyone, but must hire family members first, who may or not be great!
In the west, hotels will always hire based on professional competence, just as we would want. In the Middle East, hiring is based more on family loyalty, and so has mixed results! This is one of the reasons the Middle East remains so economically challenged today.
Jesus overturned that family loyalty in today’s Gospel. He is speaking to a large crowd but then is told that His family is waiting for Him outside, meaning His talk should end. He responds with an amazing statement saying in effect, “My family is anyone who does the will of my Father in Heaven, and not necessarily those in my blood family.” Jesus is also looking for competence and ability to live an authentic life of faith, and not a life based on titles or family name.
It is interesting that those areas of the world that have adopted this type of hiring have achieved amazing economic success, while those that are still mired in tribal loyalty remain in poverty.
I am glad to see that many Middle Eastern leaders, especially in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan are now recognizing this problem and taking steps to make changes, and are already enjoying significant results. They are aligning with the US and even Israel for a new and prosperous Middle East. It is about time!
The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel were powerful then and remain so today.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Many appreciate the back story you provide regarding Scripture. It helps to understand it…especially if a bombshell seems to be thrown!
Many times over the years, I’ve wondered why Jesus said what He said and why He said it. It’s all about context. Thank you for providing that context.
That is so interesting! Have a blessed trip! My mom wanted to go but I couldn’t miss my son’s HS graduation.
We go every year so perhaps you can join us sometime!
Peace be with you and with the whole world.
PSP women are on retreat @ Mater Dolorsa. Pray for us and we will for you and the group (family) traveling to Israel.
God Bless
Shalom!
Father Dave,
A most beautiful, spirituallly ,exciting trip to your precious Israel!!! Dick and I were with you on your first trip and the beautiful, precious memories will be part of our hearts forever!! To be where Jesus lived, loved and gave us a precious, loving Faith is so beautifully overwhelming!!We will always treasure those heart touching memories!! Enjoy your lovely trip with all those special friends!! You all are in our prayers and in our hearts!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee always your beautiful interpretations of our loving Jesus’ words!! As we so believe, Beautiful Jesus, Beautiful Faith, Beautiful Life!!! Thank you for giving us the precious gift of our Jesus and we soooooooooooooooooooooo enjoyed your 40th, loving celebration of your precious priesthood!!! May you continue to have endless years of bringing the gift of our Jesus to us!!! We loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!!
With much loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
May the Holy Spirit be with your group.
Thank you!
Father Dave. Following you in those footsteps changed my spiritual life forever. Thank you for your weekly message. Safe travels to you Bo and all.
I am so glad to hear how the trip was so helpful for you. That makes my day!
Have a safe trip Father. Rudy and I were so happy with the many blessings we received last year on our trip with you and Father Joe.
Yes, great trip. This year was excellent as well.
Dear Father Dave,
Have a safe and exciting trip. Look forward to reading about your adventure.
God bless you.
Kathleen
Thank you!
I am excited about your trip. I know from others how great your trips are. I’ll be praying for your trip.
Your reflection on on the readings I found informative. For 5 years I did reflections on the Torah for a Messianic group. It really taught me a lot about my Catholic faith anyway I never really about the family relationships. I really got in the defensive mode and new that there was no Hebrew name for cousins etc. They were all sisters and brothers in the family no matter if they where cousins etc. I also new that families traveled and lived together.
By the way, when you wee at St. Paschals you had in the back of the church teachings in writing on different subjects. Do you still have them available on line?
Yes, all of my articles on different topics are on my website at daveheney@gmail.com. There are many new articles in the last few years since being at St. Paschal’s.
Thank you Fr Dave and bon voyage. I always read your postings each week and am grateful for the teaching received. The teaching on family ties in the Middle East is illuminating and explains how Jesus’ cousins were referred to as brothers and sisters.
We are still planning to join your Israel trip within a year or two God- willing.
Looking forward to your joining the trip soon!