Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time - Philemon 9-10, 12-17) “Oneness Not Division”

Twenty Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (Philemon 9-10, 12-17) “Oneness Not Division”

        Baptism is the great equalizer in the church.  St. Paul proclaimed that several times in his writings.  In his letter to the Galatians, he says in the third chapter, “All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him.  There does not exist among you Jew or Greek, slave, or freeman, male or female.  All are one in Christ Jesus.”

        Today, we read from one of the shortest books of the Bible, Paul’s Letter to Philemon.  In this short work, Paul’s belief that all the baptized are equal is put to the test in a real-life situation.  In the ancient world the institution of slavery was omnipresent.  In Greece, for example, thirty to forty percent of the population was enslaved. 

        Paul baptized many slaves.  One of them was a slave named Onesimus.  Onesimus had run away from his master who was named Philemon.  Philemon lived in Colossae where Paul had visited and taught.  Paul, obviously, knew both men.  He met Onesimus when he was in prison. Onesimus had run away from his master.  He also had stolen some property in the process.  Paul had the policy of encouraging slaves to serve their masters and masters to treat slaves as fully human and worthy of dignity.

        Paul believed that Jesus’ second coming would happen soon.  At that point all would be free.  Each person would be equal before the Lord.  Until Jesus came a second time, masters were to treat the slaves with kindness.  Slaves were to fulfil their duties.  Somehow it seems strange to us that Paul wouldn’t declare slavery as immoral, but his idea that slaves and masters were one before the Lord was revolutionary.  Slaves were viewed by most as if they were simply tools to be used like a plow or a horse.

        The story of Onesimus and Philemon would seem to be a good one to reflect on during this Labor Day weekend.  How does labor and management relate in the world today.  We seldom reflect specifically on Social Justice teaching?  Why?  Because the Church can quickly be accused of hypocrisy.  But if the church isn’t to present a message that massages the status quo.  The church is to present a message that points to ideals. 

Church teaching on the rights of the working person began with Pope Leo XIII in 1891.  The teaching came as the industrial revolution was at its height.  What were the conditions that were prevalent at that time?  The average work week was about 60 hours for people in factories.  On farms the hours were a lot longer usually from sunup to sundown.  One in five children worked.  Some started to work in factories at 10 years old.  Conditions in factories were dangerous.  Unemployment, insurance and other amenities were minimal.  Wages were low.  Workers in farm machinery factors received about two dollars per day.

        Many of the people who were working in factories were immigrants.  We can think of the immigrants who came to the Quad Cities.  Perhaps a lot of them were our ancestors.  Many were Catholic who looked to the church to be their advocate.  The church was silent for a long time.  Perhaps it was because the church itself owned businesses that exploited workers.  But the church discerned that it had to speak out for workers’ rights.  Each Pope since Leo the XIII has renewed the call for change. 

        The church put forth moral principles that governed its teaching.  The first is the principle that holds that every person should be treated with human dignity.  A person is not a piece of machinery to be used, then thrown away.  But each human being reflects the likeness of God.  Another principal is that a of solidarity.  John Paul II was a champion of this.  The principle of solidarity encourages workers to band together to work for the common good.  Strength comes from unity.  No one should feel alone as they work for justice.  Another moral principal is the fundamental option for the poor.  How often it seems like politicians speak of protecting the middle class while the poor aren’t mentioned.  The church holds that we should begin moral teaching by examining how the poor are treated in society.

        On this Labor Day, we might reflect on our family history.  Most of us are descendants of immigrants.  Through many years of struggle, a lot of our ancestors were able to expand their rights so that they might climb out of poverty.  Many people are still suffering injustice today.  Do we look at the poor as people who are valued by God.  God looks at every person with a loving gaze.  The ideal we strive for is that we all may be one.  In God’s eyes there aren’t Upper Class, Middle Class and the poor, but only sons and daughters who have a common goal, to build the Kingdom of God.

Reflection Questions:

1.  Does our culture believe that each person is equal?  Or do certain races and groups have more rights?

2.  How do I view this question?  How might I promote justice for all?

Dear Parishioners,

        On Sunday September 11th we promote the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  The theme of the appeal this year is “Go Make Disciples.”  Bishop Lou Tylka has made this concept the centerpiece of his episcopal ministry.  He is trying to move the diocese from simply maintaining the church to a sense of mission, where we actively try to evangelize and baptize new members. Diocesan programs help with this ministry. 

        One of the ways our parish will benefit this year is that two of our parish members will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.  Matt Martell and Mike Maynard will be ordained in December.  They have been formed the last five years by diocesan personnel.  Their ministries will bring many graces to our parish.

        This year we have a goal of approximately $124,000.  This is $9,000 more than last year.  This is a big challenge for our parish, and we need everyone to participate if we are going to achieve our target. You should have received an envelope in the mail recently from the diocese which you can send directly to the diocese.  There will be no collection at the parish level this year.

        Remember that every dollar we are short of goal will have to paid from parish coffers.  We need your help.  Please give generously.

        May Our Lady bring peace to our troubled world today.

        Fr. Mark