Unpacking the Mass with Keith Nestor
Episode: July 3, 2022 Readings – The Dangers of Ministry
Date: June 30, 2022
Host: Keith Nestor
Overview
In this episode of "Unpacking the Mass," Keith Nestor walks listeners through the Mass readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The episode explores the Scriptural themes of comfort in community, the universality of salvation, humility in ministry, and the spiritual dangers ministers may face—particularly the temptation to attach self-worth to ministry success. Keith intertwines personal reflections, practical application, and a call for listeners to focus on their identity in Christ, not accolades or outward success.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14 — Comfort and Restoration
- Prophetic Comfort for Jerusalem: Keith introduces Isaiah’s prophecy as a message to a people who have faced cycles of blessing and hardship due to their relationship with God ([02:58]).
- Ultimate Fulfillment Through Christ:
"What Isaiah is doing is he's prophesying about a time when God is going to do a great work... This is talking about the birth of the church. This is talking about the coming of Jesus Christ." ([05:39])
- Prosperity and Comfort: The reading promises not just material prosperity, but comfort, forgiveness, and grace through God’s nurturing presence—as a mother comforts her child.
- Broader Meaning:
"The provision by God to comfort the world through Christ was already beginning, my friends." ([08:40])
2. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 66 — Universal Worship
- Call for All Creation: Keith notes the refrain, “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy,” and explains that God’s vision isn’t for one group but for the whole world ([09:26]).
- God’s Universal Plan:
"The vision that we see for the worship of God...isn't about just one group of people. It's the whole earth." ([11:00])
- Connection to the Covenant with Abraham: Jesus comes through Israel so that all the nations may be blessed—fulfilling the promise to Abraham.
3. Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18 — Boasting in the Cross Alone
- Paul’s Transformation and Warning:
- Paul was "a Jew, a religious teacher, a rabbi. He knows the Old Covenant backwards and forwards." ([15:30])
- Keith explains Paul’s insistence on boasting only in the cross, not his heritage or achievements:
"I'm not going to boast in how I've been able to keep the law or in all the great stuff I know...I'm going to boast in one thing, the cross of Christ." ([16:15])
- Circumcision vs. New Creation:
"Neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. That is a powerfully bold statement." ([18:31])
- Identity Re-centered on Christ: Whether Jewish or Gentile, the only "mark" that matters now is being marked as belonging to Jesus, not physical rituals or heritage ([20:00]).
- Modern Application: Christians too can fall into rule-keeping or tribalism, but true identity comes from being a “new creation” in Christ, not external markers.
4. Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 — Mission, Humility, and True Joy
- Jesus Sends the Seventy-Two:
- The significance of being sent in pairs, stressing the importance of community and cooperation in ministry ([29:58]).
- Ministry as Lambs Among Wolves:
"He says, I'm sending you out as lambs among wolves...I want you to be humble so that nobody can say, well, we're not listening to you because you're such a jerk." ([32:25])
- Dependence and Simplicity:
- Jesus’ instructions to bring no bag or sandals reflect radical trust and detachment.
- Keith connects this to St. Francis:
"[St. Francis:] Be a lamb, don't be the boss, be the servant...The brothers shall not acquire anything as their own." ([36:12])
- Personal Reflection: Keith shares his journey toward relying on God’s provision in ministry, drawing a parallel to the instructions given by Jesus ([40:40]).
- Receiving and Moving On:
- Not everyone will be receptive; disciples are instructed to move on if their message is rejected.
"They didn't have time to get into these lengthy arguments with people who didn't want to receive them...There will be people that do receive you." ([47:02])
- True Source of Joy:
- The disciples marvel that even demons are subject to them, but Jesus redirects their focus:
“Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” ([55:25])
- Keith elaborates: Our worth is not found in ministry success or public affirmation but in our identity as children of God ([01:00:18]).
- The disciples marvel that even demons are subject to them, but Jesus redirects their focus:
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On Identity and Boasting:
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— St. Paul, read by Keith ([16:13]) -
On Being Humble in Ministry:
“What Jesus is saying is, look, I want you to act like a lamb, not like a wolf. I want you to be humble so that nobody can say, we're not listening to you because you're such a jerk.”
— Keith ([32:25]) -
On Ministry and Trust:
“You need to be completely dependent on what will come to you through the ministry that I'm sending you into.”
— Keith ([37:50]) -
On Personal Temptations in Ministry:
“When we think that we’re the center of it...Jesus looks at you and he rolls his eyes and he says, get your focus off of what you’re doing and get it back on what makes you my child.”
— Keith ([01:04:35]) -
On What Matters Most:
“If you want to be excited about something, be excited that he's prepared a place for you in heaven, because that's awesome, right? And that's where your identity lies.”
— Keith ([01:07:25])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction and Isaiah Reading: [00:01 – 09:25]
- Isaiah Analysis & Church Fulfillment: [05:39 – 09:25]
- Responsorial Psalm & Universality of Salvation: [09:26 – 13:41]
- Galatians Reading and Identity in Christ: [13:42 – 24:30]
- Application to Today’s Christian Life: [19:25 – 23:50]
- Gospel Reading (Luke 10) and Sending the Seventy-Two: [24:31 – 39:00]
- Dependence in Ministry / St. Francis Parallel: [36:12 – 42:00]
- How to Handle Rejection in Ministry: [47:02 – 53:30]
- Warning Against Ego and Over-Identifying With Ministry: [55:25 – 01:07:25]
Conclusion
Keith asks listeners to prepare their hearts not just to encounter the Mass readings intellectually but to let them reshape the way they approach their identity, ministry, and trust in God. The dangers of ministry, as explored in this episode, are less the hostility or hardship of "wolves" and more the subtle temptations of pride, self-reliance, and misplaced identity. The proper response is humility, trust, and joy rooted in belonging to Christ.
Further Reflection and Invitation
Keith invites listeners to internalize these lessons—not just for ministers but for all who serve, whatever their role. He encourages feedback and sharing so that more people may benefit from these weekly reflections.
Final message:
“When I look at the readings, I don't want to just give them to you in some sort of impersonal, mechanical way. I want to share with you what they're doing in me as a way to help them have meaning for you.” ([01:08:13])
[End of summary]