The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the degree to which we live out our commitment as followers of Jesus on our journey in life.
Attitude for the journey
The reading from the Book of Job describes how Job replies to God that there is no mediator.
* [9:3] Job begins to explore the possibility of challenging God in a lawsuit, a theme that will recur (10:2), but he knows the odds are against him (vv. 12–20).1
Psalm 88 is a prayer for help in despondency.
* [88:11–13] The psalmist seeks to persuade God to act out of concern for divine honor: the shades give you no worship, so keep me alive to offer you praise.2
In the Gospel of Luke, we learn of the deep commitment required of would-be followers of Jesus.
* [9:57–62] In these sayings Jesus speaks of the severity and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Even family ties and filial obligations, such as burying one’s parents, cannot distract one no matter how briefly from proclaiming the kingdom of God. The first two sayings are paralleled in Mt 8:19–22; see also notes there.3
Chas Kestermeier, S.J. shares a story that his spiritual director told him back in 1968.
Don Schwager quotes “Put to death what is earthly in you,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"The statement 'Let the dead bury their dead' implies spiritually: Waste no more time on dead things. You are to 'put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry' (Colossians 3:5). These things therefore are dead. Cast them away from you. Cut them off as you would cut off gangrenous flesh to prevent the contamination of the whole body, so that you may not hear it said, 'Leave the dead [spiritually dead] to bury their dead' (Matthew 8:22). But to some it seems abnormal and contradictory that the Savior does not allow the disciple to bury his father. It seems inhumane. But Jesus does not in fact forbid people from burying the dead, but rather he puts before this the preaching of the kingdom of heaven, which makes people alive (Luke 9:60). As for burying the body, there were many people who could have done this." (excerpt from Fragment 161)4
The Word Among Us Meditation on Job 9:1-12, 14-16 comments that even if God should answer him, Job still wouldn’t believe that he was actually listening to his needs.
What a blessing it is that God can withstand our frustrations and accusations! He understands us so deeply. He knows exactly what you are going through today—you don’t even need to tell him. So trust that he knows your heart. Believe that he hearkens to your deepest thoughts and concerns. And know that he will shed light, one way or another, that will guide you closer to him.5
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the ancient understanding of sickness as punishment for sin as he notes how Job confronts the mystery of God and suffering. Our duty to the Kingdom of God is now. Friar Jude reminds us of the two stage Jewish burial rites performed by the eldest son in the time of Jesus.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the Romans never occupied Ireland or parts of Scotland. This allowed the Celtic culture and Christian monks the freedom to thrive independently. They weren’t controlled by Roman practicality or Greek thinking. When Christian missionaries arrived by the third century, the Celts blended their pagan or creation-based spirituality with Christian liturgy, practice, and structure. As a result, Celtic Christianity was still grounded in the natural world, and they had much easier access to a cosmic notion of the Christ. He shares an excerpt of St. Patrick’s traditional prayer… Allow ourselves, like the ancient Celts, to become aware of the presence of Christ surrounding you through all things.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ under me, Christ over me,
Christ to right of me, Christ to left of me,
Christ in lying down, Christ in sitting, Christ in rising up
Christ in the heart of every person, who may think of me!
Christ in the mouth of every one, who may speak to me!
Christ in every eye, which may look on me!Christ in every ear, which may hear me!6
Our attachment to the familiar and comfortable routines and rites of our lives may be obscuring an invitation to become more deeply conformed to the mind of Christ as He accompanies us on our journey.
References
No comments:
Post a Comment