The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us to be prepared to choose the path of full life in circumstances where the dark road may seem attractive.
The reading from the Prophet Jeremiah laments that the Israelites did not listen.
Psalm 95 is a call to Worship and Obedience.
* [Psalm 95] Twice the Psalm calls the people to praise and worship God (Ps 95:1–2, 6), the king of all creatures (Ps 95:3–5) and shepherd of the flock (Ps 95:7a, 7b). The last strophe warns the people to be more faithful than were their ancestors in the journey to the promised land (Ps 95:7c–11). This invitation to praise God regularly opens the Church’s official prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours. (Psalms, PSALM 95, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke contrasts Jesus and Beelzebul.
* [11:19] Your own people: the Greek reads “your sons.” Other Jewish exorcists (see Acts 19:13–20), who recognize that the power of God is active in the exorcism, would themselves convict the accusers of Jesus. See also note on Mt 12:27.
* [11:22] One stronger: i.e., Jesus. Cf. Lk 3:16 where John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “mightier than I.” (Luke, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Mike Cherney comes back to the thoughts of hardened hearts for his prayer today.
Dear Lord,
I realize how poorly I listen.
I fall short in my response to guidance.
Perhaps my Lenten resolve needs a better direction.
Strengthen my will to listen and to respond appropriately to what I hear.
Help me to sustain a new attentiveness in my discernments.
Allow this to be a season in which I make progress in mind, body, and spirit. (Cherney, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “God's help for our complete conversion,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When we transform our old life and give our spirit a new image, we find it very hard and tiring to turn back from the darkness of earthly passions to the serene calm of the divine light. We must ask God to help us that a complete conversion may be brought about in us." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 6,5) (Cosin & Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Jeremiah 7:23-28 comments that pride is one of those vices that often finds a way into our hearts without our even being aware of it. It might go by another name, like stubbornness or disobedience. But pride is considered the first of the seven deadly sins for a reason. It was what brought down our first parents and what led to Israel’s defeat and exile. And if we’re not careful, it can be our downfall as well.
To combat pride, we first have to see where it might be subtly operating in our lives. Maybe we think we know better than God what’s best for our lives. Maybe we have found a way to rationalize some sinful behavior. Or maybe God is speaking to us through the advice of a spouse or good friend, but we refuse to listen; we think that we will somehow escape the consequences of our actions.
Today, try to examine your heart to see if you are being “stiff-necked” in some way or another. If you notice something, repent. As he did for the Israelites, God will forgive you—not just once, but every time you turn to him. Not only that, but he will give you the humility to follow him more closely, even in those times that you’d rather go your own way!
“Father, you always know what’s best for me. Help me to become more docile to you and your ways.” (Meditation on Jeremiah 7:23-28, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the message of Jeremiah comes prior to the Babylonian exile and it makes reference to Deuteronomy. The connection of “the Lord of the Flies” to Beelzebul is a clever play on words. Friar Jude compares the dualistic choice in Luke today with another quote that demonstrates a Jewish technique of teaching
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces contemplative teacher Tessa Bielecki who captures Teresa of Ávila’s love for God revealed through creation. Bielecki shows how Teresa drew upon nature to describe the soul’s journey with God.
Since [Teresa] lived close to the earth, she said the spiritual life is like bees making honey, silkworms spinning their cocoons, fish swimming in a running stream. Depending on our stage of spiritual growth, we may be like mice, toads or snakes, flitting moths, butterflies, doves, wild horses or wounded deer. We may encounter God’s majesty as a mighty eagle or a roaring lion.
Teresa’s favorite nature image was water. She speaks lavishly of flowing springs, pools, wells, and fountains, rivers, waves, and the sea, urging us to irrigate our hearts with the waters of Life. When instead we clog our lives with triviality and endless distraction, she sees us bogged down in a swamp, struggling to get muddy water out of a puddle.
Teresa also loved fire imagery. If we build a fire in our living room or out in the wilds, we can reflect with her on the raging conflagration which enkindles us with the fire of divine love. (Rohr, 2023)
We have the support of the Spirit to reveal the Way of truth, goodness, and wisdom as we make our choices today.
References
Cherney, M. (2023, March 16). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031623.html
Cosin, J., & Schwager, D. (n.d.). God's Kingdom Has Come upon You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar16
Luke, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?14
Meditation on Jeremiah 7:23-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/16/632158/
Psalms, PSALM 95. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/95?1
Rohr, R. (2023, March 16). Zest for Life, Love for Creation — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/zest-for-life-love-for-creation-2023-03-16/
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