Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 386

Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
than for that town."

The two readings of the day share the theme of relationships and reconciliation. Joseph's brother Judah faces the victim of his worse behavior, who also happens to be God's chosen servant and a type of Jesus Christ. 

Today's Gospel describes the enormously consequential mistake any person, family, or community makes who refuses "to receive or listen" to our proclamation of the Name of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. 

Obviously, we should be on our best behavior when we present ourselves, so as not to give scandal; but they -- the unchurched and the un-catechized -- should accept us in any case! That's a load of responsibility on us and on them! 

Those who never hear the Gospel must live without the light of its goodness; and it will get there only by way of a faithful, energized Church which announces it. We hope that, whether we're at our best or worst, the charm of the Gospel will attract those who hunger for truth, and wonderful things will happen! But we must not fail. 

Every preacher can tell you how someone in the congregation thanked them for their words. "You spoke directly to my heart as if you knew what I was thinking!" But when they tell us what they heard, that's not what we said! 
Clearly, the Holy Spirit had a hand in this. And deserves a big hand of applause! Thank You, Jesus; thank you, God for your Wonder Works! 

And then there's the story of Father Finnegan who was surprised to learn he was supposed to preach, and completely unprepared as he stepped in front of a congregation. He bowed before the altar and offered a quick prayer for help and divine assistance: 

"Lord, I don't mind if you make a fool of Finnegan, but please don't make a fool of yourself! In the name of the Father...." 

Judah's story ends well. He and his brothers, like many of their age, had acted without considering possible consequences. Because he was a blessed and wise prophet of the Lord, Joseph had come to terms with their betrayal. He saw the hand of God in his imprisonment, release, and rapid ascent to the most powerful position in Egypt. Only God could have made that happen, and only for God's own purposes. it was certainly not a reward for Joseph's arrogance. He would be a complete fool if he did not forgive Judah and the rest of his brothers, though he was permitted to test them and see if they had come to regret their betrayal. 

During the few years we have on this Earth, no one knows all the consequences of our words, deeds, and attitudes. We can only hope God heals the hurts we inflicted and failed to atone. We hope he clarifies the confusion we have caused. We hope the Lord's words announcing the coming Kingdom of God come to fruition soon. 

Father Andrew Greeley once remarked that the Catholic Church was growing in the United States, "despite the best efforts of her priests!" 
Amen, dear Lord, and Thy Kingdom Come!