Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, October 1st, 2017

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, October 1st, 2017

" For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:13)

I avoid watching the news on TV as much as possible.  But it has been virtually impossible to avoid seeing and hearing about the so-called "Anthem" protests that have sprung up around the NFL and other sports as well.  It is everywhere you look . . . .  the news on TV . . . . newspaper articles . . .  . Sports Illustrated cover stories . . . . social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.   Everybody, and I do mean everybody, has an opinion about what is going on with specific players and/or teams kneeling down while the National Anthem is playing.  Now, in essence there is no need to re-hash all the details because we all know what is happening.  It does seem to me to be a good time to focus on the Third Chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians.  In this chapter, St. Paul is attempting to help the Ephesians understand . . . . or should I say, "appreciate"  . . . . . what God has done, the miracles He has performed, the graces that He has given and bestowed, the mysteries that He has revealed.  St. Paul is writing to show that the gift of salvation that was first offered to the people of Israel is now extended to us Gentiles as well.  And as such, St. Paul writes in verse 14:  "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . "  To me, St. Paul is correct.  In my opinion, this is what every Christian should focus on at this time.  It is God Who deserves our humble adoration.  It is Our Blessed Saviour to Whom we should "take a knee."  Elsewhere, we read:  "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11).   Our Heavenly Father is the One to Whom we owe everything.  He is the One that we should kneel down in adoration before.

  Philippians 2:10-11 says it perfectly:  "That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  It seems to me that there are a whole host of ways to protest things you don't agree with:   marching peacefully, .  . . . signing a petition, . . . . voting and/or running for political office yourself . . . . boycotting specific businesses or not buying certain products . . . .  etc, etc, etc.  One of the beautiful things about our nation is that we are free to make statements.  All of us have an opinion.  My opinion may not match up with your opinion but that doesn't mean my opinion is better than yours.  We are free to disagree.  We are free to stand up and let our voice be heard.  You and I have a right to peacefully protest what we do not agree with.  That much is a given.  But that being said, "taking a knee" during the National Anthem is not a proper way to protest, in my very humble opinion.  If we "take a knee," it should be for the right reason.  As a Christian, if we "take a knee," it should be done to glorify and acknowledge the glory and majesty of Our Blessed Saviour.  If we "take a knee," it should be in honor of Our Heavenly Father, Who created Heaven and earth.  If we "take a knee," it should be done in humble adoration and thanksgiving at the foot of the Cross on which the Saviour of the world laid down His life to pay our debt . . .  not His, but ours.  And, finally, if we "take a knee," we should bow down in humble adoration and pray for ourselves and pray for our country.  Pray for forgiveness in the ways we have failed, for the ways in which we have made mistakes.  But also pray in thanksgiving that God has blessed us so abundantly as a nation.  To me, these are the reasons we should "take a knee" . . . .  to honor God and to pray to Our Heavenly Father, Who has blessed us and continues to bless us despite our failings.

Mass is celebrated in the Chapel of Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we hear the Word of God preached from the King James Version of the Bible.  Listen to the Word of God speaking to you.   Spend time as God's family in solemn worship of God, taking time out of the busy schedule of life and devoting one hour to God.  And receive Our Blessed Lord in His Precious Body and Blood to help sustain us and nourish us for the journey called life.