The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to accept our path of transformation to a lifestyle in accord with the Divine Plan.
The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians describes the Resurrection Body.
* [15:35–49] Paul approaches the question of the nature of the risen body (what kind of body?) by means of two analogies: the seed (1 Cor 15:36–44) and the first man, Adam (1 Cor 15:45–49).
* [15:36–38] The analogy of the seed: there is a change of attributes from seed to plant; the old life-form must be lost for the new to emerge. By speaking about the seed as a body that dies and comes to life, Paul keeps the point of the analogy before the reader’s mind. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)
Psalm 56 is a prayer to trust in God when under persecution.
* [Psalm 56] Beset physically (Ps 56:2–3) and psychologically (Ps 56:6–7), the psalmist maintains a firm confidence in God (Ps 56:5, 9–10). Nothing will prevent the psalmist from keeping the vow to give thanks for God’s gift of life (Ps 56:13). A refrain (Ps 56:5, 11–12) divides the Psalm in two equal parts. (Psalms, PSALM 56, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower, the Purpose of the Parables and explains the Parable of the Sower.
* [8:4–21] The focus in this section is on how one should hear the word of God and act on it. It includes the parable of the sower and its explanation (Lk 8:4–15), a collection of sayings on how one should act on the word that is heard (Lk 8:16–18), and the identification of the mother and brothers of Jesus as the ones who hear the word and act on it (Lk 8:19–21). See also notes on Mt 13:1–53 and Mk 4:1–34.
* [8:4–8] See note on Mt 13:3–8.
* [8:11–15] On the interpretation of the parable of the sower, see note on Mt 13:18–23. (Luke, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Eileen Burke-Sullivan comments that we can say – as theologians have- that all of the created order is kenotic or practices kenosis, a Greek word that means pouring itself out that others may have what they need. The term is most often used to describe Jesus’ death on the cross, the full kenosis of human and divine life that nurtures all creation for all time. Kenosis is not something forced from us, but an act we undertake, generously, so that others may have the fullness of life. Humans engage in genuine kenosis only out of love and freedom. The rest of creation practices it because it is its nature which mirrors Divine existence.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns that seed must die in a hospitable place – and we who are rational seeds, can look around us and realize what brings us to grace and what locks us in hatred and unfreedom. For us the good soil is the locus for dying because the good soil will draw out our true life as the husk of ourselves dry up and return to nature. The good soil is obviously the place of companionship with creation that mutually gives itself to others, it is the place away from weeds of various idolatries that choke and kill by refusing the truth of real life. It is the place where we can thrive by giving away our gifts of self and have them received with welcome.
Just as all “natural matter” helps make good ground, we must seek the truth of our human condition and dwell therein – not trying to be gods for ourselves. Then we will discover the embodiment of beauty and glory that dwells within us.
“I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.” Ps 56. (Burke, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Devil snatches good seed off the path,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The seed is the Word of God. Those on the way are they who have heard. Afterwards, the devil comes and takes away the Word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. We see in a moment that the hardness of the ground causes the seed on the pathways to be snatched away. A pathway always is hard and untilled, because it is exposed to every one's feet. It does not admit any seed into it, but it lies rather upon the surface, ready for any birds that will to snatch it away. All whose minds are hard and unyielding, and so to speak, pressed together, do not receive the divine seed. The divine and sacred admonition does not find an entrance into them. They do not accept the words that would produce in them the fear of God and by means of which they could bring forth as fruits the glories of virtue. They have made themselves a beaten and trampled pathway for unclean demons, yes, for Satan himself, such as never can bear holy fruit. Let those who are awake, whose heart is sterile and unfruitful, open your mind, receive the sacred seed, be like productive and well-tilled soil, bring forth to God the fruits that will raise you to an incorruptible life."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 41) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49 comments that Christianity is more than a moral code followed by the hope of eternal rest for our disembodied souls. Jesus’ body, the same body that he had in his earthly life, is now at his Father’s side. And in Christ, our bodies too will be with him on the last day.
So join with God in taking the long view. Before creation, he had a plan for you that extends past your fleeting natural life. You were made to be with him, transformed in body and soul, forever.
Today, take some time to lift your mind above the hustle and bustle of daily life. Try to imagine what it will be like to be glorified in heaven, freed from weakness, fear, self-interest, decay, and even time and space. As you do, ask God to fill you with hope—a hope that will sustain you in this life and help you look forward eagerly to the next.
“Jesus, help me to live in hope of the glorious life that awaits me.” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the response of Paul to questions about the nature of the resurrected body. In the accounts of Jesus' resurrection, His body is sometimes not recognized. Friar Jude reminds us of the connection of the Parable of the Sower to the Great Commandment.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Spiritual teacher Cynthia Winton-Henry who finds dance a useful tool in making space for forgiveness and nonviolent conflict resolution.
Take a deep breath. Let it out with a sigh.
With one arm or your whole body, make a shape.
Breathe into the shape, becoming present to it.
Shifting from one shape or posture to another, it is important to indulge the stillness.
Incorporating music, dance with 80 percent stillness (or whatever is the best percentage for you right now). Your shapes can transition with quick energetic shifts or slow ones.
It is essential to breathe. Sometimes sighing or “toning” while moving keeps the breath alive and the quiet energy flowing.
Dancing with gestures and stillness, invite forgiveness for yourself or others. Lift those you cannot forgive to your higher power.
If you like, imagine creating ripples of peace out into the world. (Rohr, 2022)
We ask the Spirit to help us identify the life limiting practices that restrict our growth in the good soil.
References
Burke, E. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/091722.htm l
Luke, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8?4
Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/09/17/490206/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15?35
Psalms, PSALM 56. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/56?10
Rohr, R. (2022, September 17). Forgiveness: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/forgiveness-weekly-summary-2022-09-17/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=sep17
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