Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

As we re-enter the “Ordinary Time” of the liturgical cycle I am reminded of grandmother’s sigh: “It’s wonderful when the grandchildren come; it’s better when they leave.” The Easter season from Ash Wednesday until Pentecost is intense with apocalyptic judgment and eager expectation -- and we have more to go with the Sunday Feasts of the Trinity and Corpus Christi – but perhaps we can now settle a little more deeply into our pews and relax with the weekday readings.

Today’s first reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter is one very long, complex sentence. It challenges lectors who want to read it with meaning and joy. Originally it’s a song which the author may have written; or he might have quoted it freely as he began his letter. I prefer to think of it as a fountain of God’s praises, shooting up in grandeur like cascading water, impossible to follow with the mind’s studied awareness, but beautiful and delightful. It would take a month or more to take it apart and contemplate each word and  phrase. 

I love the opening words, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ….”

Muslims have a custom, learned perhaps from Saint Peter, to exclaim a praise of God whenever they mention Allah

"He is Allah (God), the Creator, the Originator, the Fashioner, to Him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, do declare His praises and Glory. And He is the Exalted in Might, The Wise. (Quran 59:24)

Saint Francis, who spent time among the Muslims in Egypt, also erupted in God’s praises as he wrote a note to Brother Leo:

You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are Almighty.
You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true.
You are love.
You are wisdom.
You are humility.
You are endurance.
You are rest.
You are peace.
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches, and You suffice for us.
You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are our protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are our courage.
You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Savior.

To all these beautiful words we should answer simply, Amen.