Sunday reflections

Throughout history the question of who shall rule tribe, people or nation has been highly contested. It remains an issue today even in so-called democratic countries where people vote for their leaders and representatives.

Boundaries – geographical, cultural, religious and gender – are crossed in today’s gospel. In fact, it’s one of the few stories in Matthew’s Gospel that takes place outside Jewish territory. Matthew understands the ministry of Jesus being directed firstly to the house of Israel. Only when the good news of the Kingdom of God has been offered to them, will it be offered to “all nations”. (Matt 28:19)

In June 2018, twelve boys and their coach found themselves trapped in a cave in northern Thailand. The flood waters were rising, and the water-filled tunnels of the cave were narrow and pitch dark.

The widely acclaimed Jesuit Scripture scholar, Nicholas King, has produced a wonderful translation of the scriptures, striving to present the message in a form of colloquial English, designed to reflect the way the authors would have spoken in their own time.

Much like today, different gods and life philosophies were plentiful in the ancient Roman world. They were like different pearls, available for people to pick and choose which they liked and wanted to keep.

Jesus is a strange and disconcerting figure. His words are biting and odd. They are elusive and obscure. At the same time, they command attention and demand a response. His actions are similar. He’s not what is expected. He’s dangerous. He’s impossible to ignore. The religious and political leaders of his day understood this. That’s why they crucified him.

It is often said that Australians have elevated the art of waiting into something approaching a national discipline. We queue with philosophical calm for our morning flat whites. We endure the seemingly endless roller-coaster ride of the season’s footy matches with the resigned optimism of people who have been disappointed before and fully expect to be disappointed again.

A yoke is a wooden beam used to connect two oxen who pull a heavy load, in which an older well-trained ox is yoked with a younger untrained ox. The older animal takes the greater load and effectively teaches the younger how to work.

More than being just a moral teacher or guide, Jesus came to establish a complete transformation of what it means to be human and to live a fully human life.

In this week’s gospel, Jesus is teaching his disciples about their mission. He warns them of the persecutions and trials that they will face. Just as he, Jesus, faced opposition and rejection; so, will they. So too did the prophets, including Jeremiah, of whom we read in today’s first reading.