Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 5, 2021
(Isaiah 35:4-7; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37)
The gospel today proclaims that the Kingdom of God has
arrived with Jesus. He has fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of opening
the ears of the deaf and strengthening the hearts of the frightened. So says
the first reading from the prophet Isaiah. From Jesus’ time forward, men and
women will have to turn to him to be saved.
Close to Jesus, we learn from him. We not only absorb his
teachings but also observe his actions. He instructs us on how to collaborate
with him for the development of the Kingdom of God. The second reading of the
Letter of Santiago warns us not to underestimate anyone. Everyone has a role in
this great undertaking of the Kingdom: the poor as well as the rich, the simple
as well as the geniuses, certainly women as well as men. We all have to strive
so that the justice of this world approaches that of the Kingdom of God.
For a large part we are going to contribute to the Kingdom
through our work. Even if our work does not have such an overwhelming effect
for the Kingdom as Jesus’ healing of the deaf man who stutters, it does not
lack value. We can define at least three ways by which our work advances the
progress of the Kingdom.
First, with work we fulfill ourselves as human persons and
heirs of the Kingdom. The book of Genesis says that God created men and women
in his image with the task of filling the earth and subduing it. Farmers
certainly subdue the land, but so do house cleaners. They are always developing
their capacities to work more efficiently and effectively. Cleaners know better
than most of us how to mop floors and dust blinds because they have
experimented with different ways of doing these chores. When we work, we become
the subjects of creation. In a sense we fulfill our destiny to be the images of
God, the subject of all creation.
Second, with work we can support a family. There is no end
to the resources the family needs. They start with food, shelter, and clothing.
They continue with things as diverse as a car and a computer. All these needs
cost money that we get from work. It is also through human work that all the
products and services that are required to live with dignity are made.
As Jesus says to Satan, we don't just live by bread. Even
more we live by truth, justice, and love. At work these values are both
assimilated and shown to the world. A factory worker was once talking about his
work. He said he was proud to put his name on the machine he made when he
packed it for delivery. He knew that the work was done with care and that the
product should serve well. This kind of integrity creates a world more worthy
of God and more resplendent of His glory.
The Son of God became human to raise up the human condition.
He took up manual labor as both a carpenter and a healer since he often uses
his hands in healings. He also did more cerebral when he taught and gave
counsel. Not only was his humanity realized in this way, but he also became the
model for all of us. Working like Jesus, we will come to the Kingdom of God.
