Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Children of the Kingdom

Outline

In the ancient world children were of low social status

They reflected the social status of the pater familias, so long as they did not behave badly

They were under his total control to the extent that he could sell them as slaves

But of course they were also valued for the future support they could provide to their mother and the pater familias

Jesus naturally turns such values on their head

Jesus is asked to bless children - lay on hands and pray

The disciples see them as a distraction from “real ministry”

Jesus indicates they are real ministry: “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

They, not the potential soldiers nor the important leaders of the community, are the ones the kingdom belongs to.

They receive and trust.

But what is Ezekiel saying?

“Parents eat sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge”

Ezekiel is countering the idea, common in the OT, that children suffer for the sins of the parent - that happened repeatedly from Achan onwards

There is truth to this in that children suffer from the wars that their parents may have started and children unconsciously repeat the behavior and relationship patterns of previous generations.

That is why one sees similar dysfunctional patterns generation after generation.

And that is precisely why Jesus says about children, “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” for they are young enough to trust Jesus and to let him reparent them, let him give them new ways of relationship so that they, like him, can become less anxious presences in a chaotic world.

God is not about punishing the collective family, but about redeeming the family - that is what we have to work out in our respective, to us the anthropological term, fictive family relationships (and why they are very difficult).

Sisters, there was a time when a family chose children to grow up in religious communities

Usually it was done for the good of the family, their salvation, but if the religious community was healthy, it often produced holy individuals, free of the dysfunction of their family, already enjoying aspects of the kingdom.

It could, of course, pass on dysfunction, as in the case of Samuel who parented like Eli (and possibly passed it on to David)

We, however, did not have those advantages (or disadvantages) and are called to cling to the hope of Ezekiel and the promise of Christ: Jesus and Mary, be to me parents who reparent me and heal the dysfunction of my past generations so that I receive the kingdom and in turn pass it on to my own spiritual children.

Amen

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings (8-13-2022: Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time)

FIRST READINGEzekiel 18:1–10, 13b, 30–321 The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, 2 what is the meaning of this proverb you recite in the land of Israel:“Parents eat sour grapes,but the children’s teeth are set on edge”?3

As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD: I swear that none of you will ever repeat this proverb in Israel.

4 For all life is mine: the life of the parent is like the life of the child, both are mine.

Only the one who sins shall die!5 If a man is just—if he does what is right, 6 if he does not eat on the mountains, or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; if he does not defile a neighbor’s wife, or have relations with a woman during her period; 7 if he oppresses no one, gives back the pledge received for a debt, commits no robbery; gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked; 8 if he does not lend at interest or exact usury; if he refrains from evildoing and makes a fair judgment between two opponents; 9 if he walks by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances, that man is just—he shall surely live—oracle of the Lord GOD.10

But if he begets a son who is violent and commits murder, or does any of these things,13 lends at interest and exacts usury—this son certainly shall not live.

Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely be put to death; his own blood shall be on him.30

Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, all of you according to your ways—oracle of the Lord GOD.

Turn, turn back from all your crimes, that they may not be a cause of sin for you ever again.

31 Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Why should you die, house of Israel?

32 For I find no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies—oracle of the Lord GOD.

Turn back and live!

RESPONSE

Psalm 51:12a

12 A clean heart create for me, God;

renew within me a steadfast spirit.

PSALM

Psalm 51:12–15, 18–19

12 A clean heart create for me, God;

renew within me a steadfast spirit.

13 Do not drive me from before your face,

nor take from me your holy spirit.

14 Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;

uphold me with a willing spirit.

15 I will teach the wicked your ways,

that sinners may return to you.

18 For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it;

a burnt offering you would not accept.

19 My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 11:25

25 At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

GOSPEL

Matthew 19:13–15

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.

The disciples rebuked them, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

15 After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Notes

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022 | ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY OF THE NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: Saint Pontian, Pope and Martyr and Saint Hippolytus, Priest and Martyr

First Reading Ezekiel 18:1–10, 13b, 30–32

Response Psalm 51:12a

Psalm Psalm 51:12–15, 18–19

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:25

Gospel Matthew 19:13–15

BVM - white with blue; Green