September 29, 2024 Virtually Sunday Reflection
Summary
TLDRIn this reflection on the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Tim Schilcox emphasizes the importance of the message of the Gospel over the medium through which it is conveyed. He discusses the universal call to spread the message of Jesus Christ, regardless of who delivers it, as the Holy Spirit works through various people and situations. Drawing from the readings in Mark’s Gospel and the Book of Numbers, he highlights that the core message of God's love, forgiveness, and salvation remains constant and central, no matter the method or messenger.
Takeaways
- 📖 The message is the most important aspect of communication, especially when sharing the Word of God.
- 👤 Marshall McLuhan's concept that 'the medium is the message' is addressed, but Father Tim suggests that 'the message is the message' when it comes to the Gospels.
- ✝️ Jesus' message in the Gospel of Mark emphasizes inclusivity—anyone who acts in His name is part of the mission, regardless of their background.
- 🙏 Moses’ story in the Old Testament illustrates that God's Spirit can be bestowed upon anyone, even those outside of the expected group.
- 🕊️ The Holy Spirit is given to all Christians through baptism, enabling them to proclaim the Gospel regardless of their status or role in the Church.
- 🌍 Diversity of medium and voices is essential in spreading God's message, as the Holy Spirit works through a wide array of people and methods.
- 💡 Vatican II highlighted the universal call to holiness, stressing that everyone is called to share the Gospel, not just clergy.
- ⛪ Roman Catholics trust in the Church's tradition, but also recognize the need to be open to God's voice in other cultures and Christian denominations.
- ✂️ St. James urges believers to cut out distractions and attachments that hinder their ability to live out and share the Gospel.
- 🙌 The message of Jesus Christ is one of salvation, forgiveness, and the overcoming of fear and sin through God's grace.
Q & A
What is the primary message Father Tim emphasizes in his reflection?
-Father Tim emphasizes that the message of the Gospel, especially the message of Jesus Christ, is constant and should not be overshadowed by the medium through which it is conveyed. The core message remains essential, regardless of how or by whom it is delivered.
What does Father Tim say about Marshall McLuhan's concept of 'the medium is the message'?
-Father Tim recalls McLuhan's concept, which suggests that how a message is delivered can shape its impact. However, he argues that when it comes to the word of God, the message itself is the most important thing, and we should not let the medium obscure it.
How does Father Tim interpret Jesus’ response to John in Mark’s Gospel?
-Father Tim explains that Jesus’ response to John, when the disciples tried to stop someone from using His name to expel demons, illustrates that anyone who truly accepts the message of the Holy Spirit can share it. The message is not limited to a specific group or person.
What is the significance of the story of the 70 elders in the Book of Numbers, according to Father Tim?
-Father Tim points out that in the story of the 70 elders, God's spirit is bestowed upon a broader group to spread His message. This shows that God’s message can be communicated through different personalities and approaches, but the message itself remains consistent.
What does Father Tim suggest about the universality of Christian baptism?
-Father Tim suggests that Christian baptism gives all believers a share of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to receive and announce God's message, emphasizing the universal nature of the call to spread the Gospel.
How does Father Tim view the diversity of Christian denominations?
-Father Tim acknowledges the existence of 34,000 different Christian denominations and believes that God can speak through each of them in different ways. He encourages openness to hearing the message of God through various voices and mediums.
What does Vatican II’s document on the laity say about holiness, as discussed by Father Tim?
-Father Tim references Vatican II’s document on the laity, which states that everyone, not just clergy, is called to holiness and to announce the Gospel through their lives. This underscores the universal mission to spread God’s message.
What does Father Tim say about what should be 'cut out' according to St. James?
-According to Father Tim, St. James encourages believers to 'cut out' want, luxury, injustice, and the lack of compassion, which hinder the reception and announcement of God's message. These distractions prevent individuals from living out the Gospel fully.
What is the key lesson from Father Tim’s interaction with missionaries from another denomination?
-Father Tim shares that during a respectful conversation with missionaries from another denomination, the focus remained on discussing the message of the Gospel. This demonstrates that respectful dialogue about faith can help clarify and reinforce the central message of Christianity.
What final message does Father Tim leave the audience with?
-Father Tim concludes by reminding the audience that the core message of the Gospel is Jesus Christ—His life, death, and resurrection. He encourages believers to share this message faithfully and avoid letting the medium overshadow its importance.
Outlines
📖 Reflections on the Core Message of the Gospel
Father Tim begins by introducing his reflections on the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time and touches on Marshall McLuhan’s idea that 'the medium is the message.' However, he emphasizes that when it comes to the word of God, the message itself is paramount. He expresses concern that over time, creativity in conveying the message may obscure its core essence. Father Tim underscores that the message of Jesus Christ, his teachings, and the Gospels are central and that the preacher's role is to deliver this truth, not focus on who or how it is delivered.
🙌 Inclusivity in Spreading the Gospel
Father Tim discusses examples from Mark’s Gospel and the Old Testament to highlight that the message of God can be delivered by anyone chosen by the Holy Spirit. In Mark’s Gospel, John tries to stop someone who isn’t part of their group from expelling demons in Jesus' name, but Jesus asserts that anyone not against them is with them. Similarly, in the Old Testament, Moses is confronted when two others who were not present begin prophesying, but Moses defends them, stating that he wishes all people could receive the Holy Spirit. This reinforces that the message of God is inclusive and not restricted to specific groups.
🌍 Openness to Diverse Expressions of Faith
Father Tim explains how God can speak through different Christian denominations and cultural expressions of faith. He points out that Vatican II emphasized the universal call to holiness, and he encourages openness to the Holy Spirit working through various mediums and people. While Roman Catholics trust in their church’s teachings and traditions, they should also be receptive to God’s message in diverse ways. The core message of Christ remains constant, but the medium through which it is shared may vary across different cultures and denominations.
🧹 Removing Barriers to God’s Message
Father Tim reflects on the challenges and distractions that can hinder the reception and delivery of God's message. He refers to St. James’ teaching about eliminating want, luxury, and injustice, which can create divisions between the rich and the poor. These obstacles must be removed to truly follow the gospel. In the gospel reading, Jesus uses metaphorical language, urging believers to cut off anything that causes them to stumble, emphasizing that nothing should obstruct the core message of salvation. Father Tim asks listeners to consider what may be distracting them from fully embracing and sharing the gospel.
🤝 Sharing the Message Through Encounters
Father Tim recounts an encounter with missionaries from another religious denomination, where they engaged in respectful dialogue about their faiths. This meeting highlighted the importance of focusing on the message of Jesus Christ in all conversations, regardless of the medium. He reminds his audience that the message is clear: God sent Jesus not to condemn, but to save. Every person has the opportunity to be a medium of God’s message through their actions and words, spreading hope, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.
✝️ The Message of Christ: Crucified and Risen
In his concluding remarks, Father Tim reaffirms the central message of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead. He reminds the audience that this core message is the foundation of their faith, and it should never be obscured by the medium through which it is communicated. The focus must always be on the saving grace of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Message
💡Medium
💡Holy Spirit
💡Prophecy
💡Inclusivity
💡Jealousy
💡Sacramental Life
💡Vatican II
💡Cutting Off
💡Universal Call to Holiness
Highlights
The principle of Marshall McLuhan's book, 'The medium is the message,' and its influence on how messages are conveyed.
Reflection on the idea that creativity in communication can sometimes obscure the core message, especially regarding the Gospels.
Father Tim emphasizes that 'the message is the message,' especially when it comes to the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus' response to the disciples about someone outside their group casting out demons, showing that the message of the Gospel is not limited to an exclusive group.
The story of Moses in the Old Testament, where the Holy Spirit was shared with the 70 elders, highlights the diverse ways God communicates through different people.
Moses' response to the complaint about two men prophesying without being part of the original group—God’s message is not restricted by human boundaries.
The core of Christian baptism: all baptized individuals receive a share of the Holy Spirit, showing the universality of the Gospel message.
Reflection on the 34,000 different Christian denominations, and how God can speak through each one in unique ways.
Father Tim reflects on the importance of being open to the Holy Spirit working in diverse individuals and cultures.
The teachings from Vatican II on the 'universal call to holiness'—every individual is called to announce the Gospel by their life, not just clerics.
The idea that God doesn’t put limits on who can share the Gospel; the Holy Spirit works through various people at different times.
St. James' teaching on cutting out excess, injustice, and lack of compassion to live in a way that aligns with Jesus' message of love and healing.
Jesus' radical metaphor about cutting off body parts to avoid sin, emphasizing the need to remove anything that obstructs the Gospel's message.
A reflection on a conversation with missionaries from a different religious denomination, highlighting the importance of respectful dialogue centered on the Gospel.
Father Tim's concluding message: while the medium may change, the core message of Jesus Christ, his death, resurrection, and forgiveness remains constant and central.
Transcripts
Hello friends welcome to virtually
Sunday a presentation of whatsoever you
do Incorporated I'm norbertine Father
Tim schil Cox coming to you from the
formation Chapel At The Abbey and deer
with Reflections on the readings for the
26th Sunday in ordinary time we continue
track to track along in Mark's gospel on
this cycle around chapter
N9 in 1967 Marshall mclen who was a
Canadian Communications expert published
a a breakthrough book at least it seemed
like it uh the medium is the message I
remember as a junior high school student
our teachers were fascinated by it
basically the principle of the book was
the message depends on how you tell the
story The the medium becomes the message
so be creative be thoughtful all those
good things uh it it was widely accepted
and uh implemented for for decades
really uh I must say though thinking
about it as time was went on I realized
that in some ways uh the over-the-top
creativity or some of the uh indirect
creativity has served to obscure
messages along the way uh at least for
this old guy uh I've come to realize I
think another book needs to be written
uh the message is the message let's not
forget that the message is the message
especially when it comes to the word of
God especially when it comes to the
gospels of Jesus Christ that there is a
core message there that's presented to
us now that doesn't mean that the
homelist or the preacher or the teacher
or the columnist or the writer uh
doesn't know Their audience doesn't
creatively thoughtfully prepare doesn't
try to it an organized way that
will make it clear what the message is
that that all of that serves the message
but the message is the essential thing
it's not necessarily the who or the how
that convey
it and we see uh that truth played out
it seems to me in two of the three
readings this weekend uh from the ninth
chapter of Mark's gospel John said to
Jesus teacher we saw someone using your
name to expel demons and we tried to
stop him because he's not of our company
so not the right medium not the right
guy not the great credentials not
someone we know or we've trained we
don't necessarily trust
him Jesus say why try to stop him no one
can perform a miracle using my name and
at the same time speak ill of me anyone
who's not against us is with
us Jesus acknowledges that anyone who
seizes who has received the message that
comes from the Holy Spirit to an open
heart can announce the message can
announce the message as their prompted
by the holy spirit it's not an exclusive
Club in the passage from the book of
members the Old Testament reading today
uh a similar problem uh the Lord came
down in a cloud and spoke to Moses and
took some of the spirit that was his and
bestowed it on 70 elders how wonderful a
broader group to get the message out in
all sorts of different ways 70 different
personalities different approaches all
the rest but the message is still
constant
and then two who weren't there at the
time lad and mad uh they started
prophesying they received the Holy
Spirit so uh they complained to Moses
the other 70 you know they weren't here
when the spirit was poured out stop them
Moses and Moses comes right back at him
sees right through them their jealousy
they're trying to create a kind of
closed
shop are you jealous for my sake he
asked them would that all the people of
the Lord were prophets would that the
Lord might bestow his Spirit upon them
all and of course that's what happens in
Christian baptism brothers and sisters
isn't it that all of us receive a share
of the holy spirit it's outpouring the
message which is the word of God the
Eternal Word made Flesh and Blood Jesus
Christ what he said how he taught it how
he lived it how he healed how he forgave
how he challenged and comforted us how
he served and lived and died and rose
again and returned to the father that's
the
message and his death and Resurrection
his Ascension and the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost which continues
through the sacramental life of the
church and however God chooses to pour
out that Spirit U affirms that the
message is constant across the immense
diversity of the human
Spectrum remember looking last year
34,000 different Christians
denominations why would why would God
not speak through each of them in a
different way why would it be only one
and of course as Roman Catholics we
trust in the truth of our church its
tradition and its structure and its
interpretation and its guidance by the
Holy Spirit
yes but to be open to hear God speak in
all sorts of other venues all sorts of
other ways the message to be informed by
the Holy Spirit working in other persons
other cultures across the
board Vatican 2 uh spoke about in the
document on the leoty the universal call
to Holiness that everyone is called to
be open to the Holy Spirit and to
announce the gospel by Our Lives not
only clerics not only a certain slice of
of the community but everybody because
the message is the message beyond the
medium and it seems to be God's design
that a diverse array of medium are
useful in announcing the
gospel and we have to trust that so God
doesn't put limits necessarily God pours
the holy spirit on those who he chooses
when he chooses in the way he chooses to
announce the message he desires to get
to the
world that's broad that's as broad as
can be Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts
of your faithful Kindle in us the fire
of Your Love send forth your spirit oh
Lord Unleash Your holy spirit and renew
the whole face of the
Earth if there is something that we want
to limit the readings get at that too
they get it what uh what we can cut out
and it's not people and it's not
necessarily
voices St James in the fifth chapter of
his letter uh talks about uh getting rid
of want and luxury getting rid of excess
getting rid of Injustice getting rid of
uh the gap between the rich and the poor
getting ra rid of a lack of compassion
so that we're moved when someone's in
genuine need to help them to respond to
them in the way that Jesus would in the
way that Jesus did that was the Gospel
message especially read Luke's gospel
all the healing all the compassionate
response of
Jesus he himself says it later in this
weekend's gospel passage you want to get
rid of something if your hand is your
difficulty cut it off if your foot is
your undoing cut it off if your eye is
your undoing cut it out
sounds crazy doesn't it in a way but
it's it's it's reminding us that the
message is so constant that nothing can
get in the way of where God is going to
of how God is going to announce
it what gets in the way for you for me
what distraction what attraction
what attachments what
affection get in the way
of our hearing the message of the Holy
Spirit then then what gets in the way of
our announcing
it it's on St overt college campus the
other day walking along and talking with
one of our fathers who's working over
there and there are a couple of
Representatives missionaries from a
different religious denomination and uh
he said Father Tim can we stop and talk
with them and so we we had a a 20 minute
conversation it was friendly it was
respectful uh brother wanted to to make
it pointed in a good way uh ask some
questions specifics what you believe or
can I tell you what we believe or they
asked some questions and was beautiful
it was an encounter where the the
message was the
topic brothers and sisters every day we
have the opportunity to be God's chosen
medium not the message the message is
Jesus Christ the message messages that
God sent him into the world not to
condemn us but to save
us the messages that every sin can be
forgiven the message is that we can
become as forgiving as God has been to
us the messages that we don't have to
live in fear the message is that we
don't have to live Paralyzed by sinful
patterns we can cut them out of our
Lives we can overcome them with God's
grace God Grace sufficient for
us and the message is that death is not
the trump card that life
is life love stronger than death in
Jesus
Christ however you tell it make sure
that the the medium doesn't obscure the
message because the message is too
Central and too good to be true as we
hear it from whoever God wants to hear
to communicate it to us this
week as we announce it in our daily
lives at home at work wherever we may be
God bless your folks praise God for the
message the word made flesh Jesus Christ
crucified and risen from the dead
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