Recognition and rejection

The experiences of recognition and rejection are resonant in contemplation of the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today.

The people in our day

The light of recognition comes on for in the Book of Job as God relates evidence of Divine omnipotence.

* [40:4–5] Job’s first reaction is humble, but also seemingly cautious.

In the Gospel from Luke, the consequences of rejection of Jesus invitation to repentance are declared.

* [10:13–16] The call to repentance that is a part of the proclamation of the kingdom brings with it a severe judgment for those who hear it and reject it.

Mark Latta comments that the Lord uses many ways to reach out to us in nature and in the people brought into our lives. These messages and messengers are all around us if we only calm the clutter of our minds and listen.

Throughout the ages we have been challenged by the trauma and chaos of the day and we have been encouraged by God’s real presence in the world, despite the trauma and chaos. Jesus is admonishing us to listen to his messengers. We should respond to this challenge by discerning who is around us with the authentic Word of God and look for who is setting boundaries between good and evil. Let us use today’s lesson to open our hearts to His message and renew our moral compass in the midst of the trauma and chaos of 2018.

Don Schwager Quotes “Christ speaks through the disciples”, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"Christ gives those who love instruction the assurance that whatever is said concerning him by the holy apostles or evangelists is to be received necessarily without any doubt and to be crowned with the words of truth. He who hears them, hears Christ. For the blessed Paul also said, 'You desire proof that Christ is speaking in me' (2 Corinthians 13:3). Christ himself somewhere also said to the holy disciples, 'For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you' (Matthew 10:20). Christ speaks in them by the consubstantial Spirit. If it is true, and plainly it is, that they speak by Christ, how can they err? He affirms that he who does not hear them, does not hear Christ, and that he who rejects them rejects Christ, and with him the Father." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 63)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 10:13-16 reminds us that the destruction that Jesus predicts will come, not from his hand, but from the hands of the people themselves.

As St. Paul once wrote, “If you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:15).
Repentance doesn’t mean just saying “I’m sorry.” It means turning our lives around. It means asking the Lord for his grace as we try to change our behavior. This is what Jesus was hoping would happen in all of these cities. But it didn’t. They remained trapped in their sin, despite all the demonstrations of God’s love, power, and mercy Jesus showed them.

Friar Jude Winkler, OFM Conv, reviews how Job has been challenging God for justice. The Book of Job does not resolve the question of the suffering of the just for us. Friar Jude reminds us of the consequences when we decide to reject the invitation of Jesus to Life.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the two paths of knowing and not-knowing are primarily taught through prayer itself.

But Jesus also taught prayer beyond words: “praying in secret” (Matthew 6:5-6), “not babbling on as the Gentiles do” (Matthew 6:7), or his predawn, lonely prayer (Mark 1:35), because “your Father knows what you need even before you ask” (Matthew 6:8). These all point toward what many today call contemplation—openness to and union with God’s presence; resting in God more than actively seeking to fully know or understand.

Fr. Richard concludes that given Jesus’ clear model and instruction, it seems strange that wordy prayer took over in the monastic Office, in the Eucharistic liturgy, and in formulaic prayer like the Catholic rosary and Protestant memorizations. It’s all the more important, to our responsibility to respect and understand others, that these be balanced by prayer beyond words.

References

(n.d.). Job chapter 40 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/job/40
(n.d.). Luke 10:25-37. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/luke10.htm
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved October 5, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/