What’s All The Buzz? | September 24, 2015

 September 24, 2015

Today’s gospel is pretty darn simple but of course so timely for us today. There was all kinds of buzz about Jesus throughout the entire region. Is there any kind of similar buzz going on in our country this week and/or today involving a dynamic preacher with a message that just might shake things up? The buzz about Jesus was a little outrageous saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead, or that Elijah had showed up again, or other prophets and come back to life. Whenever there is a buzz, there is bound to be some hyperbole and sensationalism that comes with it, however, I have been pleasantly surprised at how well our beloved Pope Francis has been received and covered in the media since he became Pope and most especially during his visit to the United States. It speaks volumes to his character as someone that intrigues people across religious and political lines. He is bold yet humble, he is strong yet meek, he is dynamic yet simple, he is joyful yet serious, he is fearless yet careful, he is impressive yet approachable, he is convicted yet open, and he is the true embodiment of love in action. Do these qualities sound like anyone else we might know? Today’s gospel ends with Herod saying about Jesus, “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

Let’s allow all the coverage of Pope Francis to serve as a meditation on the life of Christ: his speeches to Congress and the Bishops, his lunches with the homeless, his motorcade parades where thousands come just to see him pass by, his kissing of the children, his shout outs to the elderly, his convictions about life and the family and the environment, his tireless efforts to reach out to people on the margins, his admonishment of world leaders, his special love for the youth, his joy and his smile, his prayer time and devotion to the Blessed Mother, his honoring those Americans that have set an example of peace and social justice, his kindness, his call to each one of us to show mercy to everyone…let’s allow all of the above and more remind us of who Pope Francis is trying to emulate: Jesus Christ. Pope Francis will the first one to proclaim that it is his love for Jesus that motivates him to do all that he does. Don’t think for one second that the Pope is about his own agenda. His agenda is ONLY to proclaim the Joy of the Gospel that is Jesus Christ. What’s all the buzz about? It’s about Jesus. Inspired by the Holy Father, may we encounter Christ in all we do today and dialogue about it with everyone we meet.

Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 452

Reading 1 HG 1:1-8

On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius,
The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai
to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,
and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:

Thus says the LORD of hosts: 
This people says:
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?

Now thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
You have sown much, but have brought in little;
you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated;
have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed;
And whoever earned wages
earned them for a bag with holes in it.

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
Go up into the hill country;
bring timber, and build the house
That I may take pleasure in it
and receive my glory, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B

R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Alleluia JN 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.