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Breath of the Spirit

Pastoral, Liturgical, Teaching, and Social Justice Moments brought to you by www.DignityUSA.org.

Breath of the Spirit is DignityUSA’s electronic spiritual and liturgical resource for our members and potential members. Nothing can replace your chapter or other faith community, but we hope you will find further support here for integrating your spirituality with your sexuality and all the strands of your life.

We welcome relevant homilies, inspirational writings, social justice opportunities, or theological articles from other sources also — particularly from wise women and men who can help us grow as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) and allied Catholic/Christians. You may volunteer to help with this program or send your comments by e-mailing info@DignityUSA.org ATTN: Breath of the Spirit.

NOVEMBER 1, 2009: ALL SAINTS

Readings: 
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
I John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12a

Many scholars contend the triggering device for apocalyptic literature is persecution. This secretive, symbolic genre of writing which we find in the Book of Revelation is meant to help the faithful “hang in there” when everything around them is falling apart But according to certain Scripture scholars, like my old prof John Dominic Crossan, some of the means taken in this particular apocalyptic writing to help people remain steadfast in their faith run counter to the teachings of Jesus which we find in all the earlier writings of the Christian Scriptures.

OCTOBER 25, 2009: THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings: 
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52

I can’t stress enough the importance of today’s gospel pericope. Those who regard it as just another miracle story have no idea how it fits into Mark’s gospel and theology. There’s not enough space in this brief commentary to delve into all its facets. But, for a start, it must be exegeted in the context of the preceding narrative. Mark never thought anyone would hear it independent of James and John’s misguided request for the “glory seats.” Their demand not only is rejected by Jesus, it shows they don’t know 101 about true discipleship.

OCTOBER 18, 2009: TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings: 
Isaiah 53:10-11
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mark 10:35-45

Just as there’s a required reading list for most college courses, there’s a required reading for anyone who is serious about understanding today’s gospel pericope: Luke Timothy Johnson’s May 22, 2009 Commonweal article How Is the Bible True?

We’ve finally reached Mark’s third prediction of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection and its sequel. (The only problem: those who select our liturgical readings have left out the prediction!)

OCTOBER 11, 2009: TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings: 
Wisdom 7:7-11
Hebrews 4:12-13
Mark 10:17-30

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of today’s gospel narrative. Through the centuries Jesus’ followers have developed all sorts of theories about his ministry, trying to figure out exactly what he did and why he did it. It is this oft-misquoted passage, Mark’s Jesus tells what he’s all about.

OCTOBER 4, 2009: TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings: 
Genesis 2:18-24
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16

I frequently employ the first 11 verses of today’s gospel passage to demonstrate the difference between the historical Jesus and the risen Jesus. Mark’s Jesus clearly states, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

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