The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our sense of life today that is rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable.
Changing Situations
The reading from the Letter of James warns against presumption and boasting about tomorrow.
* [4:13–17] The uncertainty of life (Jas 4:14), its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will (Jas 4:15) all help one know and do what is right (Jas 4:17). To disregard this is to live in pride and arrogance (Jas 4:16); failure to do what is right is a sin (Jas 4:17).1
Psalm 49 declares the folly of trust in riches.
* [Psalm 49] The Psalm affirms confidence in God (cf. Ps 23; 27:1–6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich, cf. Ps 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (Ps 49:8–10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (Ps 49:18–20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (Ps 49:2–5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (Ps 49:6–13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (Ps 49:13, 18; cf. Prv 7:21–23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (Ps 49:14–20).2
In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples are concerned about another exorcist in their midst.
* [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.3
Barbara Dilly asks: Do we secretly resent our modest lives, thinking that eschewing wealth is the price for our redemption? Do we avoid facing the ugly realities of structural inequality because we do not have the courage to address the brokenness of greed and corrupt power that ensnares us?
These lessons today challenge me to seek the way and the truth and the life of the Lord toward living in the Kingdom of heaven in this life. Why should we fear the wicked and the evil ensnarers of this world when in fact we can live in confidence that we will find more colleagues and friends of the Spirit than we think if we follow Jesus. Together, we too can perform mighty deeds in his name. The lessons for today should give us all the confidence to live out our lives knowing that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. I pray we will all know the Lord’s will for our lives and through the Spirit we will live to do it.4
Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Saint 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)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on James 4:13-17 asks what if our circumstances suddenly change? This can tempt us to doubt God’s ability to guide us—and we might even blame him for the change in plans! But James reminds us of the attitude we should take: “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that” (4:15). Which means that as we make our plans, we should always remember that everything depends on the grace and mercy of God.
So don’t grasp too tightly to any of your plans! Instead, trust in God’s faithful care for you, and believe that he is still at work in spite of an unexpected development. Then when your plans are disrupted—even quite unexpectedly, as they were with Covid—you can still have peace and confidence. “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding” will, in fact, sustain you because you have placed your hope and trust in God and not in the outcome of your plans and decisions (Philippians 4:7). “Lord, guide me in all my comings and goings.”6
Franciscan Media writes that The “Acts” of Saint Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian martyr’s death. He died in 155.
Polycarp was recognized as a Christian leader by all Asia Minor Christians—a strong fortress of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ. His own strength emerged from his trust in God, even when events contradicted this trust. Living among pagans and under a government opposed to the new religion, he led and fed his flock. Like the Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for his sheep and kept them from more persecution in Smyrna. He summarized his trust in God just before he died: “Father… I bless Thee, for having made me worthy of the day and the hour…” (Acts of Martyrdom, Chapter 14).7
Friar Jude Winkler underlines that we are not in charge citing the humour of Teresa of Avila and the Muslim expression “inshallah”. Three years of Covid changed our way of life and our vision of the future. Friar Jude reminds us that the disciples' mistaken attitude to the other exorcist teaches us to affirm all service to others.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that marriage and friendship are fruitful training grounds for intimacy with both God and people.
Divine intimacy and human intimacy share the same dynamics. I believe one is a school for the other. Most people start with human intimacy and move toward divine intimacy. But I do believe there are a few souls who start with God’s divine ambush, who first learn how to be vulnerable before God and then transfer this to their human relationships. Two who have taught me that best are Thérèse of Lisieux and Julian of Norwich. Both are among my favorite mystics, and both are women. Women, and those in touch with their feminine side, seem to have a readiness for intimacy, mutuality, and vulnerability that offers a central message for all believers.8
In our changing and unpredictable lives, the Spirit prepares our heart for intimacy as the deepest connection to eternal and unchanging love.
References
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