Mindful of sin

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to remember to be cautious on our journey to avoid neglecting the Life we experience in Christ.

Parking our decisions

The reading from the Book of Sirach warns against presumption in our relationship with God.

* [5:1–8] The vices of the rich are pride and independence (vv. 1–2), presumption (v. 3), false security (vv. 4–6), and impenitence (v. 7), which cannot escape the divine wrath (vv. 7–8). Cf. Prv 18:23; 19:1; 28:6.1 

Psalm 1 is a preface to the whole Book of Psalms as it shares images of the wisdom and folly in our choices.

 * [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death.2

In the Gospel from Mark Jesus teaches the dangers in the temptations to sin. He uses the simile of Salt for His disciples.

* [9:49] Everyone will be salted with fire: so the better manuscripts. Some add “every sacrifice will be salted with salt.” The purifying and preservative use of salt in food (Lv 2:13) and the refinement effected through fire refer here to comparable effects in the spiritual life of the disciples of Jesus.3 

Mark and Farley Mowat in his book “And No Birds Sang” cite Isaiah Chapter 66.[Mark 9:48 and Isaiah 66:24]. Michael Fishbane shares the monotheism open to the world in the last Chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

In Isaiah 40‑66, then, monotheism is portrayed as a total and absolute phenomenon.But this does not lead to exclusiveness or intolerance. The foreigners are repeatedly promised access to the Temple and the divine service performed there–both as pilgrims and as practitioners (56:1‑8; 66:18‑21). The strident nature of these passages, with their bold assertion of priestly service by non‑Israelites, strikes one as a polemical stance in the postexilic community. ‘As for the foreigners … who hold fast to My covenant–I will bring them to My sacred mount and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices shall be welcome on My altar; for My House shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (56:6‑7).4 

Kimberly Grassmeyer asks what is the millstone that pulls us away from a right path?

Do we struggle with greed? Jealousy? Perhaps we tell white lies or manipulate to achieve our ends.  I can judge too quickly. Too often I fail to put others’ needs above my own. Jesus’ words challenge us to be introspective enough to see our flaws so that we can then choose to remedy those flaws.  I have no intention of removing any body parts, as Jesus imagines in his teaching… but I can mindfully and with discipline act better than my nature. I can have the humility to claim my imperfection yet not be “overconfident” in carelessly clinging to my imperfections as an excuse to then expect forgiveness.  I can strive to be better, to be closer to God, to move further from my sinful nature, and to have the humility to ask for help and for the forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ.5 

Don Schwager quotes “Why not skip over such passages,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

 "This is no trivial subject of inquiry that we propose, but rather it concerns things most urgent, and about which many inquire: namely, whether hell fire has any end. For that it has no end Christ indeed declared when he said, 'Their fire shall not be quenched, and their worm shall not die' (Isaiah 66:24). Yes, I know a chill comes over you on hearing these things. But what am I to do? For this is God's own command... Ordained as we have been to the ministry of the word, we must cause our hearers discomfort when it is necessary for them to hear. We do this not arbitrarily but under command." (excerpt from the  HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 9.1)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:41-50 shares that Jesus taught them that humility and self-giving are the pathway to true greatness. Why is this so? Because humble service acts as a salt scrub.

You don’t have to look far to find opportunities to humble yourself and serve other people. According to St. Francis de Sales, “Great occasions for serving God seldom come, but little ones surround us daily.” Kindness to an irritable spouse, patience with a slow driver, and encouragement to a struggling coworker are all little acts of service. Offering to empty the dishwasher, pick up the dry cleaning, and pour someone a second cup of coffee—these small personal acts can help you keep “salt” in yourself—and they can promote peace with those around you. Through them, you are offering your life to God and to his people—and that’s always a beautiful sight!7 

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the Wisdom of Sirach that today is the day of conversion. Some who do not have instruction on the over the top Jewish teaching may respond in an eccentric manner as attributed to Church Father Origen. Friar Jude has a vision of Christians leaving Church that is similar to children running to recess.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, knows he has never been separate from God. He would love for us to bring this realization to loving consciousness!

In fact, why not stop reading now and just breathe and let it sink in? It is crucial that you know this experientially and at a cellular level—which is, in fact, a real way of knowing just as much as rational knowing. Its primary characteristic is that it is nondual and thus an open-ended consciousness, which does not close down so quickly and so definitively as dualistic thought does.8 

Our familiarity and presumption are potential obstacles in our journey. Humility and nondual contemplation help restore our relationship in Christ.

References

1	(n.d.). Sirach chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved February 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Sirach/5:1
2	(n.d.). Psalms chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved February 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Psalms/1:1
3	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 9. Retrieved February 27, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/mark/9:38
4	(n.d.). Isaiah 40-66: Return and Restoration | My Jewish Learning. Retrieved February 28, 2019, from https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/isaiah-40-66-return-and-restoration/
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 28, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 28, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(2019, February 28). 7th Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 28, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/28/
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 28, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/

Wisdom assesses action

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that the gift of Wisdom invites us to see the world around us through the eyes of God even as that viewpoint requires us to be transformed in our perceptions of reality.

Wisdom to see deeper

The Book of Sirach teaches that Wisdom is developed by her discipline (Sirach 4.17).

* [4:11–19] The Hebrew text in vv. 15–19 presents wisdom speaking in the first person, as in chap. 24. The precious fruits of wisdom—life, favor, glory, blessings, God’s love—arouse desire for her (vv. 11–14). Her disciples are like ministers (v. 14) and judges (v. 15), whose descendants have her for their heritage (v. 16). They enjoy happiness and learn her secrets after surviving her tests (vv. 17–18). Those who fail her are abandoned to destruction (v. 19).1 

In the Gospel from Mark Jesus disciples seek His Wisdom in how to deal with another exorcist not from their group.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded.2 

Susan Naatz believes that mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and women in general throughout the history of humankind have shared their wisdom and breathed life into our human condition over and over again. Through them we have received life-giving breath from God.

Wisdom is frequently referred to in scripture in feminine terms.  Thanks to the wisdom figures in my own life, it has always been easy for me to image wisdom as feminine and this image has often taken my prayer to a very deep place… As Sirach invites us to pray and meditate on the feminine aspects of wisdom, let us imagine a special woman in our lives either past or present who has breathed life into us through her wisdom.3 

Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from  LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)4

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:38-40 declares that Jesus’ name is truly “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His authority to dispel evil and darkness is not just reserved for him alone.

You have been baptized into his name, and that means you can call on that name. He has placed his name in your heart, so call on it!
“Jesus, may your name be ever on my heart and lips.”5 

Friar Jude Winkler observes that the gift of Wisdom to see, like God, the spiritual intent in things does not come easily. The one outside the group may be shunned even when God is working there. Friar Jude notes that the authority given by Jesus to minister to others is not a monopoly but a service.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that Paul summarizes his corporate understanding of salvation with his shorthand phrase “en Cristo,” using it more than any single phrase in all of his letters (over 100 times). En Cristo seems to be Paul’s code phrase for the gracious, participatory experience of salvation “from the beginning” (see Ephesians 1:3-12), the path that he so urgently wanted to share with the world. Succinctly put, this identity means humanity has never been separate from God—unless and except by its own negative choice. All of us, without exception, are living inside of a cosmic identity, already in place, that is drawing and guiding us forward. We are all en Cristo, willingly or unwillingly, happily or unhappily, consciously or unconsciously.

Every single creature—the teen mother nursing her child, every one of the twenty thousand species of butterflies, an immigrant living in fear, a blade of grass, you reading this meditation—all are “in Christ” and “chosen from the beginning” (Ephesians 1:3-4, 9-10). What else could they be? Salvation for Paul is an ontological and cosmological message (which is solid) before it ever becomes a moral or psychological one (which is always unstable). Pause and give that some serious thought.6 

The struggle to accept the Wisdom of the unity in Christ of all is part of the difficult discipline that we experience on our journey for truth, beauty, and Love.

References

1	(n.d.). Sirach chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved February 27, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Sirach/4:11
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 9. Retrieved February 27, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/mark/9:38
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved February 27, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 27, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(2019, February 27). 7th Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 27, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/27/
6	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 27, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/

Trust to understand

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to trust God when we struggle with the difficulties of life that seem to put us down.

Trust and challenge

The Book of Sirach cites the crucible of humiliation as an opportunity to restore our trust in God.

* [2:1–11] Serving the Lord is not without its trials (v. 1); but no matter what happens, the genuine believer will remain sincere, steadfast, and faithful (vv. 2–3). Misfortune and humiliation are means of purification to prove one’s worth (vv. 4–5). Ben Sira believed that patience and unwavering trust in God are ultimately rewarded with the benefits of God’s mercy and of lasting joy (vv. 6–11).1  

In the Gospel from Mark we are exhorted to trust in God even as we lead from the position of being the last of all.

* [9:33–37] Mark probably intends this incident and the sayings that follow as commentary on the disciples’ lack of understanding (Mk 9:32). Their role in Jesus’ work is one of service, especially to the poor and lowly. Children were the symbol Jesus used for the anawim, the poor in spirit, the lowly in the Christian community.2 

Vivian Amu seeks forgiveness for her shameful daily response of ‘why me?”.

 Don’t you remember what God whispered to you just before you were born?  God whispered, ‘all that you will find easy and all that you will find to be a burden and difficult, will all work together for your good, because you are mine.  You are a manifestation of my love. Trust me to guide your path. Trust me.’ So, when life doesn’t seem fair, when we don’t understand why, and our hopes and plans are crushed, let us remember that God has our best interest at heart, and there is meaning; you have a purpose which is bigger than can be imagined.  It is so, because you are a child of God; we are children of God.3

Don Schwager quotes “Downward roots enable upward growth,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "Observe a tree, how it first tends downwards, that it may then shoot forth upwards. It fastens its root low in the ground, that it may send forth its top towards heaven. Is it not from humility that it endeavors to rise? But without humility it will not attain to higher things (Proverbs 18:12). You are wanting to grow up into the air without a root. Such is not growth, but a collapse." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, SERMON 38.2)4

The Word Among Us Meditation on Sirach 2:1-11 comments that in times of adversity, we may feel as if we’re trapped in a fiery hot crucible. And far more often than when life is going smoothly, the heat of our trials can cause sinful thoughts, attitudes, and actions to bubble up to the surface.

 Let’s say you’re feeling exhausted or stressed, and you end up reacting harshly to a family member who needs your help. Don’t hide in shame! Don’t make excuses for yourself! Just bring that over-the-top reaction to the Lord. Ask him, and the person you have hurt, to forgive you. It may be uncomfortable, but that’s what refining is all about. Keep the end result in mind, and that will make it easier.5

Friar Jude Winkler examines the Jewish Wisdom of Ben Sira who advocates that in adversity, though it seems difficult, we should continue to hope and trust God. The disciples did not get Jesus as Son of Man and Suffering Servant and His pointing to anawim as positions of leadership. Friar Jude underlines our call to do for those who cannot return our efforts.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, explains that, except for the rare Augustine and many of the Catholic mystics and hermits, it took widespread literacy and the availability of the written word in the sixteenth century to move believers toward a more interior Christianity, both for good and for ill. [1].

 It’s important to remember that Paul is just like us in never knowing Jesus in the flesh. Like him, we only know the Christ through observing and honoring the depth of our human experience and gaining new eyes. When we can honor and receive our own moment of sadness or fullness as a gracious participation in the eternal sadness or fullness of God, we recognize ourselves as a member of this one universal Body.6

The interior faith, from an awareness of our life in the Body of Christ, provides the Spirit for our transformation through humble love in all circumstances.

References

1	(n.d.). Sirach chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved February 26, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Sirach/2:1
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 9. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/mark/9:14
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 26, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 26, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(n.d.). 7th Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 26, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/26
6	(2019, February 24). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/

Only through prayer

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to contemplate wisdom that we experience in being open in our relationship with God.

Seeing deeper

The Book of Sirach attributes deep wisdom to a gift of God.

* [1:1–10] This brief poem serves as an introduction to the book. The Lord is the source and preserver of all wisdom, which he pours out upon all. See Jb 28:20–28; Prv 2:6; 8:22–31; Wis 7:25–27.1 

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus corrects the self assuredness of His disciples as He finds faith in turning to God in prayer.

* [9:14–29] The disciples’ failure to effect a cure seems to reflect unfavorably on Jesus (Mk 9:14–18, 22). In response Jesus exposes their lack of trust in God (Mk 9:19) and scores their lack of prayer (Mk 9:29), i.e., of conscious reliance on God’s power when acting in Jesus’ name. For Matthew, see note on Mt 17:14–20. Lk 9:37–43 centers attention on Jesus’ sovereign power.2 

Jay Carney realized that there are depths to the human condition that extend far beyond our usual rational comprehension. He shares walking from a faith experience with lingering doubts and lingering ignorance. He also walked away with a newfound sense of humility; the world was bigger than his own past experience of it.

 In a spirit of humility, then, let me close by returning to today’s opening words from Sirach. “All wisdom comes from the Lord, and with him it remains forever, and is before all time. The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days or eternity: who can number these? Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?” May God call us more deeply into the depths and riches of a divine wisdom that surpasses and even confounds human expectations.3

Don Schwager quotes “Emerging faith seeks maturity,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"In saying, 'When the Son of Man shall come, shall he find faith upon the earth?' our Lord spoke of that faith which is fully matured, which is so seldom found on earth. The church's faith is full, for who would come here if there were no fullness of faith? And whose faith when fully matured would not move mountains (Matthew 17:20; 21:22)? Look at the apostles themselves, who would not have left all they had, trodden under foot this world's hope, and followed the Lord, if they had not had proportionally great faith. And yet if they had already experienced a completely matured faith, they would have not said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith' (Luke 17:5). Rather we find here an emerging faith, which is not yet full faith, in that father who when he had presented to the Lord his son to be cured of an evil spirit and was asked whether he believed, answered, 'Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief' (Mark 9:24). 'Lord,' says he, 'I believe.' 'I believe': therefore there was faith; but 'help me in my unbelief': therefore there was not full faith (Hebrews 10:22)." (excerpt from  SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 65)4 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Sirach 1:1-10 observes that knowledge is not the wisdom Sirach is talking about. Friar Jude Winkler explains the omission of Sirach from the Hebrew and Protestant canon. Exercising authority in their own right was the error of the apostles failure to heal. Friar Jude observes that the apostles did not get the role of prayer in dying to self until they confronted the Cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that before conversion, we tend to think of God as “out there.” After transformation, we don’t look out at reality as if it is hidden in the distance. We look out from reality! Our life is participating in God’s Life. We are living in Christ. As Paul tells the Colossians, “your life is hidden with Christ in God” (3:3). Paul fell to the ground, and he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus and you are persecuting me’” (Acts 9:3-5).

 He fell to the ground, and he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus and you are persecuting me’” (Acts 9:3-5).
This choice of words is pivotal; Paul must have wondered: “Why does he say ‘me’ when I’m persecuting these people?” Paul gradually comes to his understanding of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12) as an organic, ontological union between Christ and those who are loved by Christ—which Paul eventually realizes is everyone and everything. This is why Paul becomes “the apostle to the nations” (or “Gentiles”).6

Our connection to the Wisdom beyond our experience is through our relationship as disciples of Jesus who brings us into His mystical Body.

References

1	(n.d.). Sirach chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved February 25, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Sirach/1:1
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 9. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/mark/9:14
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 25, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(n.d.). 7th Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/25
6	(2019, February 24). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/

A Spirit for the unexpected

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us in the direction of contemplation of how we may be seeing change toward living in non judgmental and caring ways.

Caring path

The text from the First Book of Samuel relates how David spares Saul who is out to kill him.

 * [26:1] The second account of David sparing Saul’s life; cf. note on 24:1.1

In the 2nd reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians Paul describes our natural and spiritual heritage that culminates in the Resurrection Body.

* [15:42–44] The principles of qualitative difference before and after death (1 Cor 15:36–38) and of diversity on different levels of creation (1 Cor 15:39–41) are now applied to the human body. Before: a body animated by a lower, natural life-principle (psychē) and endowed with the properties of natural existence (corruptibility, lack of glory, weakness). After: a body animated by a higher life-principle (pneuma; cf. 1 Cor 15:45) and endowed with other qualities (incorruptibility, glory, power, spirituality), which are properties of God himself.2 

In the Sermon on the Plain from the Gospel of Luke Jesus exhorts us to Love of Our Enemies and restraint from Judging Others.

At the core of the sermon is Jesus’ teaching on the love of one’s enemies (Lk 6:27–36) that has as its source of motivation God’s graciousness and compassion for all humanity (Lk 6:35–36) and Jesus’ teaching on the love of one’s neighbor (Lk 6:37–42) that is characterized by forgiveness and generosity.3 

 Diane Jorgensen observes that today’s gospel continues Jesus discourse in the Sermon on the Plain with the same seemingly paradoxical, even absurd, directives for his followers.

 Those who live in the kingdom are willing to risk being generous, forgiving and vulnerable, as they draw from the Ultimate Abundant Source – God – the source of all generosity, forgiveness and vulnerability. They live without the protection of power, position, privilege and righteousness. “We are called to be light for the kingdom, to live in the freedom of the city of God!” is how the song goes. Letting our light shine brightly, without fear of being snuffed out, ushers us into the kingdom of God now, not later.
Our first reading tells the story of David’s restraint in not killing Saul when seemingly, God had presented this auspicious moment. We are challenged daily to show restraint, not in the battlefield, but in boardrooms, classrooms and family rooms. Restraint from harming others is a good thing, demonstrates human maturity, but Jesus is offering us so much more: Spiritual Freedom!
The second reading from Paul reminds me of a quotation attributed to Teilhard de Chardin. “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” And what an adventure it is.4

Don Schwager quotes “The virtue of charity,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"Love is commanded when it is said, 'Love your enemies' so that the saying which was uttered already before the church may be fulfilled: 'Set in order love in me' (Song of Solomon 2:4). For love is set in order when the precepts of love are formed. See how it began from the heights and cast the law underneath the backs of the Gospel's blessing. The law commands the revenge of punishment (see Exodus 21:23-36). The gospel bestows love for hostility, benevolence for hatred, prayer for curses, help for the persecuted, patience for the hungry and grace of reward. How much more perfect the athlete who does not feel injury!"  (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.73)5  

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 6:27-38 urges that to the best of our ability, we put aside harsh judgments and condemning thoughts. If not for the other person’s sake, then for our own sake. Try to rise above the realm of judgment, where everyone gets what’s coming to them—because everyone in that realm will be judged harshly.

Instead, step into the realm of God’s mercy. Move into the realm where everyone is invited to forgiveness and treated with love, dignity, and generosity. Even you. Give the gift of forgiveness, and it will be given to you. Give the gift of a second chance—or a third or fourth or hundredth—and it will be given to you. Give the gift of the benefit of the doubt, and it will be given to you.6 

Fr. James Mallon shares how an encounter with the Word Among Us magazine moved him to a transformation that has become work on “Divine Renovation”

Friar Jude Winkler connects the time of writing of the Hebrew Testament text from Samuel to the desire of David for royal protection. The comparison by Paul of Adam and Jesus refers to our resurrected body that is not our earthly one. Friar Jude cautions judgement of those for whom we have no idea of how they have been gifted by God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the entire biblical revelation involves gradually developing a very different consciousness, a recreated self, and eventually a full “identity transplant” or identity realization, as we see in both Jesus and Paul.

The sacred text invites us, little by little, into a very different sense of who we are: We are not our own. Your life is not about you; you are about Life! We gradually find ourselves part of the Great Vine, eventually realizing that we have never truly been separate from that Source (John 15:1-5). Once we are consciously connected to the True Vine, our life will bear much fruit for the world.

Paul seems to understand this well because it happened rather dramatically to him. He writes, “I live no longer, not I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Like Paul, the spiritual journey leads us to know that Someone Else is living in us and through us. We are part of a much Bigger Mystery. We are recipients, conduits, and gradually become fully willing participants in the Christ Mystery (which is not to be equated with simply joining the Christian religion).7

Our journey is in the Spirit toward a transformed self that shows to others unexpected love and compassion.

References

1	(n.d.). 1 Samuel chapter 26 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/1Samuel/26:2
2	(n.d.). 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians15:51
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/luke/6:27
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/24
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/