Daily Retreat 08/19/08
2008 Aug 19 Tue: Ordinary Weekday/ John Eudes, p, rf
Ez 28: 1-10/ Dt 32: 26-27ab. 27cd-28. 30. 35cd-36ab/ Mt 19: 23-30
From today’s readings: “The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre: Thus says the Lord GOD: Because you are haughty of heart.... Surely, the LORD shall do justice for His people; on His servants He shall have pity.... But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first....”
Eternal rate of exchange
Like many prophets, Ezekiel foretells words of doom, not only for sinful Jerusalem, but also for the insolent pagan cities and nations around her. The city of Tyre is especially targeted by Ezekiel, with detailed woes prophesied in chapters 26, 27, and 28. Tyre was the richest and mightiest seaport along the northern coast of Palestine. In diplomacy, Tyre tended to take a toady position, happily sending tribute to whatever regional power was dominant in order to guarantee its commercial interests. Tyrians therefore smugly considered themselves worldly wisemen because they were so often able to shift alliances in a timely manner in order to sidestep many woes of war and keep their profits coming in. When Jerusalem fell, they rejoiced at the delightful convenience of having one of their commercial rivals eliminated. The Tyrians’ glee was especially loathsome because they had initially encouraged Jerusalem’s rash rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar!
The haughtiness and naughtiness of the city is well documented in the Bible as Tyre became flushed and drunk with its success in trading and traitoring. Even today, those who adopt Tyre’s worldly-wise policy of political expediency and commercial idolatry, ever attending to profits instead of prophets, will find themselves likewise purchasing a substantial measure of earthly success in exchange for an infinity of heavenly wrath!
Ez 28: 1-10/ Dt 32: 26-27ab. 27cd-28. 30. 35cd-36ab/ Mt 19: 23-30
From today’s readings: “The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre: Thus says the Lord GOD: Because you are haughty of heart.... Surely, the LORD shall do justice for His people; on His servants He shall have pity.... But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first....”
Eternal rate of exchange
Like many prophets, Ezekiel foretells words of doom, not only for sinful Jerusalem, but also for the insolent pagan cities and nations around her. The city of Tyre is especially targeted by Ezekiel, with detailed woes prophesied in chapters 26, 27, and 28. Tyre was the richest and mightiest seaport along the northern coast of Palestine. In diplomacy, Tyre tended to take a toady position, happily sending tribute to whatever regional power was dominant in order to guarantee its commercial interests. Tyrians therefore smugly considered themselves worldly wisemen because they were so often able to shift alliances in a timely manner in order to sidestep many woes of war and keep their profits coming in. When Jerusalem fell, they rejoiced at the delightful convenience of having one of their commercial rivals eliminated. The Tyrians’ glee was especially loathsome because they had initially encouraged Jerusalem’s rash rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar!
The haughtiness and naughtiness of the city is well documented in the Bible as Tyre became flushed and drunk with its success in trading and traitoring. Even today, those who adopt Tyre’s worldly-wise policy of political expediency and commercial idolatry, ever attending to profits instead of prophets, will find themselves likewise purchasing a substantial measure of earthly success in exchange for an infinity of heavenly wrath!
posted by FrPitstick | 8/18/2008
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