JUNE 17, 2018
8:00 AM (ST. HELENA), 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES
Best known for their Fairy Tales, the Grimm brothers (Jacob and Wilhelm) were born in 1785 and 1786.
Lesser known is that both brothers lived difficult lives, worked hard to continue their educations without support, and supported their families through hard work from a young age.
Jacob was a linguist, a lawyer, and a writer; and Wilhelm an author and anthropologist.
Not only did they compile and edit several editions of their books of fairy tales, but they also worked together on creating a German dictionary.
As a linguist, Jacob is known for what is called Grimm’s Law which shows the relationship between b, p, and f; d, t, and th; and g, k, and x. For example, the English word “brother” correlates to the German word “bruder;” where the d and the th are somehow historically connected to a more ancient parental language.
Despite their humble beginnings, the Brothers Grimm have their place in not only German but western culture – through hard work, perseverance, and study.
Today is the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
In the first reading we hear a prophecy told in a clever story.
A prophecy is more than a prediction. The Hebrew prophets spoke of future things using the past tense – that is, as something that already happened … but that was still waiting to be revealed.
While Ezekiel is speaking about trees, this is not a proclamation on horticulture. He is speaking of future kings, and of one king who would carry on the dynasty of Kings David and Solomon – after it would appear that the line had been destroyed. That is the shoot that is transplanted from the withered tree.
St. Paul speaks to the Corinthians about the realities of Christian death. The early Christians struggled wondering “when is Jesus returning?” Next week, next year, next millenium? Here we are in the second Christian millenium – two thousand years – and we still struggle.
But in order to make it something they could not only remember, but perhaps understand, Paul speaks of “being at home” … and that in this life, “we are at home in the body,” while in the next, we “go home to the Lord.” Both are homes, both are part of our Christian journey.
And finally, we hear two of Our Lord’s Kingdom parables. Parables are more than fairy tales or prophecies or allegories.
The parables of Jesus are meant to reveal Divine realities by using common things and activities. In the light of His Incarnation, this is logical – because if God became man, He most certainly would use visible human activities and objects as a way to convey the unseen mysteries of God.
And apart from the Gospel verse “The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower,” the seed can also be seen as God’s grace poured out on humanity – and taking root, and bringing with it transformation in us and in our lives. Or that like small seeds, grace is barely noticeable, yet can have an enormous effect.
It is important to not ascribe divine power to fairy tales. Snow White may teach a moral lesson, but she is not revealing the mysteries of God. On the other hand, turning all prophecies and parables into fairy tales or wisdom lessons, denies the whole of Salvation History and God’s unfolding of His mysteries – which are fully revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ – let us pray that we might be inspired by God’s grace to a deeper understanding and experience of His revelation. And as we continue this Sacred Liturgy – may the signs and symbols of the Mass point us to higher things – ultimately to God … Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
