The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary resonate with a theme of struggle for freedom and full life that is likely to be counter to secular culture.
The reading from the Book of Wisdom is from Solomon’s Prayer.
* [9:15–17] Although the expressions in v. 15 draw on the language of Plato concerning the human condition, the conclusion is very biblical: God remains a mystery (Jb 38–39; Eccl 8:17; Is 40:12–14; Rom 11:33–34). The plight of humankind is clearly one of ignorance, unless the “holy spirit” is sent from God. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)
Psalm 90 praises God’s Eternity and human frailty
* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17). (Psalms, PSALM 90, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to Philemon is a plea for Onesimus.
* [11] Useless…useful: here Paul plays on the name Onesimus, which means “useful” or “beneficial.” The verb translated “profit” in Phlm 20 is cognate.
* [13] Serve: the Greek diakoneĊ could connote a ministry.
* [15] Was away from: literally, “was separated from,” but the same verb means simply “left” in Acts 18:1. It is a euphemism for his running away. (Philemon, THE LETTER TO PHILEMON, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke presents some sayings of Jesus on the cost of Discipleship.
* [14:25–33] This collection of sayings, most of which are peculiar to Luke, focuses on the total dedication necessary for the disciple of Jesus. No attachment to family (Lk 14:26) or possessions (Lk 14:33) can stand in the way of the total commitment demanded of the disciple. Also, acceptance of the call to be a disciple demands readiness to accept persecution and suffering (Lk 14:27) and a realistic assessment of the hardships and costs (Lk 14:28–32). (Luke, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)
Nicky Santos, S.J. comments that when viewed through the lens of the parallel in Matthew’s gospel, we see that the point being made is that true discipleship requires undivided loyalty to Jesus above any other loyalty, including to oneself. Such a commitment might at times pit us against our relatives or even our own desires and wishes.
As I reflected on the gospel, I was reminded of the radical and inclusive love that God has for us. In being detached from our relationships and possessions we can more fully experience this love and be channels of it to our family, friends, ourselves and even our enemies. Ironically then, today’s gospel is not calling us to hate (as we understand hate) our father and mother, spouse and children, brothers and sisters, and even our own life, but rather to love these with that radical and inclusive love that we have experienced as disciples. This is the true cost of discipleship, and it is not easy. (Santos, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus permits us to love family but not more than God,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.
"He says, 'He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me' (Matthew 10:37). By adding 'more than me,' it is plain that he permits us to love, but not more than we love him. He demands our highest affection for himself and that very correctly. The love of God in those who are perfect in mind has something in it superior both to the honor due to parents and to the natural affection felt for children." (excerpt fromCOMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 105) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 14:25-33 comments that, in some ways, we’re all a bit like the National Monument of Scotland, planned as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, and now known as “Edinburgh’s Disgrace.” Its unfinished pillars stand as a sobering tribute to poor planning.: works in progress. But the good news is that we can finish. We just need to keep on choosing to follow Jesus. Jesus tells us that our journey will require more than our own natural resources—not to discourage us, but to point us to God, the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus says, “Come, follow me.” He knows the challenges you will face, and he doesn’t want you to give up when you realize it costs you more than you expected. He has all the grace you need to resist temptation. His love will strengthen you on your path toward heaven. And he has deep pockets, overflowing with mercy, to help you choose him day after day.
“Lord, I need the riches of your grace today!” (Meditation on Luke 14:25-33, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler echoes the teaching of the Book of Wisdom about the difficulty we have in grasping the thinking of God. The Letter to Philemon is not an explicit condemnation of slavery but in is an appeal to release someone who provided much service to Paul while he was imprisoned. Friar Jude reminds us of the challenge of giving all to God in such a secular world.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, turns to Quest for the Grail, based on his earlier work with men and spirituality. Fr Richard was told that European quest legends emerged in various forms around 1180 to 1350 CE. They originated from different levels of society, at precisely the time when the great gospel story was in eclipse and no longer reaching the ears or affecting the souls of Christians. It could be said that Grail stories were lay persons’ ways of charting and describing a necessary and good spiritual path.
I believe we live in a time when the quest is no longer real. People are unsure of the goal, insecure in their search for meaningful patterns, and even unconvinced of any divine origins. It is a major crisis of meaning for the West; at the deepest level, it is a loss of hope. The anxiety and solutions to this crisis cannot be addressed at a mere surface or problem-solving level. Only sacred psychology or mythology are deep and true enough to address questions of meaning and hope.
What true religion has always done is open the door to this symbolic universe, to the world of the soul that is the primary access point for the spirit world. Healthy religion teaches us how to see, how to see more clearly, and how to see things all the way through.…
The Grail story can be told and retold, but finally it is a quest that must be walked. It is always a descent, always a terror, and for those who know the bigger story, always participation in a miracle. (Rohr, 2022)
We sense, with the influence of the Holy Spirit, the reality of our spiritual journey to love, truth, and beauty that leads to more than an existence defined by secular standards.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?25
Meditation on Luke 14:25-33. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/09/04/481874/
Philemon, THE LETTER TO PHILEMON. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philemon/1?9
Psalms, PSALM 90. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90?3
Rohr, R. (2022, September 4). A Heroic Journey — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-heroic-journey-2022-09-04/
Santos, N. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/090422.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The True Cost of Discipleship. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=sep4
Wisdom, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/9?13
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