The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today help reset our frequently held notions that place our individual state and welfare above the invitation of Jesus to full life by placing the needs of others first.
The reading from the Letter to the Philippians is a plea for unity and humility by imitating Christ’s Humility.
* [2:5] Have…the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus: or, “that also Christ Jesus had.” While it is often held that Christ here functions as a model for moral imitation, it is not the historical Jesus but the entire Christ event that Phil 2:6–11 depict. Therefore, the appeal is to have in relations among yourselves that same relationship you have in Jesus Christ, i.e., serving one another as you serve Christ (Phil 2:4). (Philippians, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
Psalm 131 is a song of quiet trust.
* [Psalm 131] A song of trust, in which the psalmist gives up self-sufficiency (Ps 131:1), like a babe enjoying the comfort of its mother’s lap (Ps 131:2), thus providing a model for Israel’s faith (Ps 131:3). (Psalms, PSALM 131, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches about conduct of guests and hosts.
* [14:7–14] The banquet scene found only in Luke provides the opportunity for these teachings of Jesus on humility and presents a setting to display Luke’s interest in Jesus’ attitude toward the rich and the poor (see notes on Lk 4:18; 6:20–26; 12:13–34). (Luke, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)
John Shea S.J. comments that anything goes when we think we are superior to others.
If you want to drive recklessly, then go for it. You’re more important than anyone else on
the road and getting to your destination on time takes priority over the safety of others. If
you want to cheat on an exam, then do so. You’re already smarter than everyone in the
class so why waste your time by studying? If you want to steal from the poor, go for it.
They’re poor so they’re obviously inferior and you deserve to have the little they own.
In today’s first reading, St. Paul provides a corrective to this attitude of superiority, reminding us to “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.” And Jesus shows us how to place this corrective into action, encouraging us to “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” to our tables. The very people society looks down upon are those we are called to welcome. Jesus ate with the outcasts, sinners, and tax collectors. Jesus, the Son of God, did not believe himself to be better than others. Neither should we. (Shea, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “First and last at the banquet table,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"'When,' he says, 'a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will say, 'Give this man place.' Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this! It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, 'He shall hear him who invited him say, 'Come up here.' ...If any one among you wants to be set above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, 'Love humility.'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Philippians 2:1-4 urges us to iImitate the apostles and the first Christians who were “of one heart and mind” and who made sure that “there was no needy person among them” (Acts 4:32, 34). This may sound difficult, but remember two things. First, this kind of self-giving unity is a goal to strive toward; no one expects us to achieve it immediately. And second, single-hearted unity is ultimately Christ’s gift to us. It’s the reason he sent the Holy Spirit to live among us. We shouldn’t think we can achieve it on our own.
Is there someone who needs you right now? Is there some way you can lift up a brother or sister in the Lord? Then go and do it! It doesn’t have to be something grand or important. Every act of love and service brings you one step closer to the unity of heart that is God’s desire for all of us.
“Jesus, teach me how to serve just as you did. Lord, make us one in heart!” (Meditation on Philippians 2:1-4, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage from Philippians precedes the hymn that declares Jesus self-giving and the example of humility and compassion. We are called to surrender to serve. Too often we apply the Latin motto “do ut des” meaning “I give in order that you may give.” Friar Jude reminds us of the need for our emotional service to express love to those broken and in difficulty.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Kat Armas who shares how honoring the voices of our female ancestors enriches our faith. She calls it “abuelita theology”. She recounts losing sight of Christianity’s communal nature, and how the communion of saints inspires her.
I internalized the hyperindividualistic view of faith and salvation. . . . I bought into the idea that my spirituality is private, that my spiritual growth has absolutely nothing to do with my community, my ancestors—the cloud of witnesses, those I knew directly and indirectly—as well as the countless number of people who have influenced me or even those I myself have influenced. . . .
The communion of saints has enriched my theological imagination, particularly when it comes to my ancestors and las madres of the faith, the women throughout history who have gone before us paving the way, building their own tables, and offering a perspective of the divine, without which our faith would be lacking. . . . (Rohr, 2022)
We contemplate our experience of the “communion of saints” in our support of family, friends, and people we encounter in need.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?12
Meditation on Philippians 2:1-4. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/10/31/523654/
Philippians, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?1
Psalms, PSALM 131. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/131?1
Rohr, R. (2022, October 31). Voices of Our Female Ancestors — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/voices-of-our-female-ancestors-2022-10-31/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=oct31
Shea, J. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/103122.html
No comments:
Post a Comment