Sunday’s Readings and POPE BENEDICT XVI (If Awesome weren't an overused word, that's what I'd say..)

On the Mark ^ | September 24, 2006 | Mark Mallett

[Mrs. Don-o]

"If I get hold of the pope, I will hang him," Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, a senior MMA leader, told protesters in Islamabad, who carried placards reading "Terrorist, extremist Pope be hanged!" and "Down with Muslims’ enemies!" —AP News, Sept 22, 2006

“The violent reactions in many parts of the Islamic world justified one of Pope Benedict’s main fears . . . They show the link for many Islamists between religion and violence, their refusal to respond to criticism with rational arguments, but only with demonstrations, threats, and actual violence.” —Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney; www.timesonline.co.uk, September 19, 2006

TODAY’S Sunday Mass readings remarkably call to mind Pope Benedict XVI and the events of this past week:

FIRST READING

The godless say to themselves, ‘Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our breaches of the law and accuses us of playing false to our upbringing… (Wisdom 2, RSV)

Indeed Pope Benedict, in his speech at a German University last week, intended to examine how secular thinking which discards faith when it is not "empirically verifiable", is unreasonable. In fact, the Pope underlined our commonality with Islam noting how,

"…the world’s profoundly religious cultures see this exclusion of the divine from the universality of reason as an attack on their most profound convictions." —POPE BENEDICT XVI; Faith, Reason, and the University Memories and Reflections; September 12th, 2006, University of Regensburg.

However the Holy Father, in a brief analysis of religion itself, pointed out (with a quote from a medieval emperor) that violence has no place in religion as it is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul; that is, not acting reasonably is contrary to God’s nature. The Pope actually quotes from the Koran from an early teaching of Mohammed which supports this understanding:

There is no compulsion in religion. —Surah 2, 256

But many Muslims have chosen instead to embrace ferocity, annoyed that the Pope has opposed the way of violence and reproached those who breach the law by abandoning their upbringing for irrational falsehoods. Ironically, they have threatened the Pope, using words not too distant from the author of this first reading:

Let us test him with cruelty and with torture, and thus explore this gentleness of his and put his endurance to the proof. Let us condemn him to a shameful death… (Wisdom 2)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

For proud men have risen against me, ruthless men seek my life. They have no regard for God. (Psalm 53)

No commentary is needed, though I am certain the Holy Father will lean upon the refrain:

The Lord upholds my life.

SECOND READING

(James tells us in this reading how to know true religion from false.)

Wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate, it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good… Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness. (James 3)

The Pope apologized for the misunderstanding which has resulted from a misreading of his speech, and invited Muslim leaders to dialogue with him Monday. In fact, he has made known his deep respect for Muslims in an attempt to sow genuine peace.

Benedict XVI said that he hopes "that this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect." —ZENIT News Agency, Vatican City, September 19, 2006

Indeed, the life of prayer, fasting, devotion, and adherence to moral laws is profound among many Muslims. Hence, Islam has become the fastest growing religion in the United States—if not the world—while Christianity is barely recognizable in the West, a mere shell of the Gospel which once built a free and moral civilization.

Still, the mark of true religion is and must be freedom. As Paul says, "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Cor 3:17). Violent conversion is incompatible with God, and therefore religion. James continues:

Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Isn’t it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? (Ibid.)

Desires for world power and domination? Indeed, Christ came to conquer nations, but not by violence, rather by love. Freedom is the hallmark of truth. Hence, reason must accompany faith to be able to discern the "truth which sets us free" from those doctrines which lead to death. How today’s readings are teaching us!

GOSPEL READING

The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, they will put him to death… (Mark 9)

Pope Benedict has understood from the beginning that he is a servant, and that his mission is to lay down his life for the sheep—a cost which comes at times with speaking the truth. Perhaps he is more aware of the price of this than we realize….

If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all. (Ibid.)

Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. —POPE BENEDICT XVI, Inaugural Homily, April 24, 2005, St. Peter’s Square

[Mrs. Don-o]

I'm just posting this because I had the same thought, felt the same uncanny prickle at the back of my neck, but Mark Mallett laid it all out brilliantly.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Ping

[Rutles4Ever]

Wow. That never dawned on me during Mass. Phenomenal.


I also recall Benedict's characterization of being elected to the Papacy as a "guillotine" destined to fall on him.

[don-o]

bump

[Salvation]

Agree all the way. I'll post the link to this last Sunday's readings for everyone to read in their entirety.

[Salvation]

I definitely thought of it. Especially with the first reading -- which I read Saturday evening as a lector. Talk about a difficult reading to proclaim. (I had to use my plotting voice -- let us try this

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let us try that

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[Salvation]

Catholic Caucus; Sunday Mass Readings, 09-24-06, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

[Salvation]

And then there is this thread -- The Anatomy of Envy

[don-o]

I will say this - the lack of a prayer of intercession for the Pope was disturbing. Not sure how those are decided on, but he needs to be prayed for at every Mass, specifically by name.

I could creates a humdinger, if needed! Let me know.

[Salvation]

At every Sunday Mass we have a prayer in the intercessions for Pope Benedict, then the bishops, then the clergy -- and it ties into the theme of the Sunday , for example, that they be instruments of truth and fidelity. --that they always promote peace.

I'm sure you get the idea.

Thanks for the reminder, however, I will remember to dedicate a Rosary before Mass or a Prayer of the Faithful during Daily Mass too!

[Nihil Obstat]

>>>"Terrorist, extremist Pope be hanged!"<<<<

Yeah, the pope started this. I just saw this story from August 25, 2005:

BARCELONA — Spanish police have arrested one man in connection with threats by Al Qaeda against the Vatican.

It comes after a document was sent to the Madrid daily ABC and Television Española in the name of Al Qaeda and containing threats against the Vatican.

ABC reported the document, a three-page Arabic manuscript, was mailed from Barcelona and contained the headings 'Operation Vatican' and 'Iraq and the World Terrorist Attack'.

The document says 'the Iraq war has won the Vatican's support for the capitalist countries, all for Iraqi oil'. "Those authorities will reap what they have sown with their support, and for those they have killed," the document says.

It also justifies Islamic extremist bomb attacks in Madrid last year and last month in London as "acts of self-defence against the terrorism being effected in Iraq and Afghanistan".