Inscrutable Justice

Nov. 6: Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Sorry for the inconsistent posting! We’ve been remodeling Amelia’s bathroom, getting ready for Nana’s visit, and various other things.

Reading 1

Rom 11:29-36

Brothers and sisters: The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To God be glory forever. Amen.

If I had written on Saturday’s readings, you might have noticed that the first line of today was the last line Saturday. It’s referring to Israel, and its special place in God’s plan. God didn’t revoke their status as Chosen People, because God’s gifts are irrevocable.

But like all people, they disobeyed God. And God shows mercy to them, just as He does all people. He took advantage of their injustice against Him to demonstrate the mercy that surpasses justice, in a way that we can’t even comprehend.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 69:30-31, 33-34, 36

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
They shall dwell in the land and own it,
and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

This is a psalm of lament, for various crimes committed against him. But he doesn’t just ask God to bring his attackers to justice. He wants God to show the world. Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises to praise Him everywhere. It’s just as much for the good of the world as his own personal vindication.

Alleluia

Jn 8:31b-32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus is saying this to Jews who were coming to believe in Him. They have been given a partial revelation, but listening to Jesus means they’ll know the whole truth.

Gospel

Lk 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Once again, this flows from Saturday’s Gospel. Two days ago, Jesus told us not to exalt ourselves by taking the seat of honor. Now he’s telling us not to invite our friends over for dinner!

He’s obviously exaggerating, or at least saying we shouldn’t exclusively be hospitable to people who can pay us back.

We’re meant to give from our blessings regardless of whether or not someone can pay us back. If they can, then it’s just a free exchange, commerce. When we give, we should give, the way God does. We can never pay God back, either, so there’s no harm in not being paid back ourselves.

God’s mercy and charity are beyond justice—“How inscrutable are his judgments.” We shouldn’t calculate what we’re owed, because what we owe is incaluable.