Joy and Praise

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the Joy and Praise in the example of Mary’s response to her magnificent mission.

St Mary's Basilica

The reading from the Prophet Zephaniah is a Song of Joy.

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans identifies the marks of the True Christian.

* [12:14–21] Since God has justified the believers, it is not necessary for them to take justice into their own hands by taking vengeance. God will ultimately deal justly with all, including those who inflict injury on the believers. This question of personal rights as a matter of justice prepares the way for more detailed consideration of the state as adjudicator. (Romans, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

The response from Isaiah proclaims Thanksgiving and Praise.

* [12:1–6] Israel’s thanksgiving to the Lord, expressed in language like that of the Psalms. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Mary Visits Elizabeth and proclaims the Canticle of Mary.

* [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord.

* [1:45] Blessed are you who believed: Luke portrays Mary as a believer whose faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (Lk 1:20). Mary’s role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among “those who believed” after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14).

* [1:46–55] Although Mary is praised for being the mother of the Lord and because of her belief, she reacts as the servant in a psalm of praise, the Magnificat. Because there is no specific connection of the canticle to the context of Mary’s pregnancy and her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat (with the possible exception of v. 48) may have been a Jewish Christian hymn that Luke found appropriate at this point in his story. Even if not composed by Luke, it fits in well with themes found elsewhere in Luke: joy and exultation in the Lord; the lowly being singled out for God’s favor; the reversal of human fortunes; the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. The loose connection between the hymn and the context is further seen in the fact that a few Old Latin manuscripts identify the speaker of the hymn as Elizabeth, even though the overwhelming textual evidence makes Mary the speaker. (Luke, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock (2013) is struck by the calm confidence Mary has in God’s steadfast love.

Now I feel inspired by Mary to bear witness to God’s love.  This inspiration brings more questions than answers:  How can I be aware of the signs of God’s presence within me?  How can I be more present to others modeling the way Mary was so present to her cousin Elizabeth?  In the hectic pace of life, how can I slow down so I can make the best choices with the gifts I have been given by God?  Where do I need to be brave and be more explicit about my faith?  How can I bring that faith to action for the greater glory of God? (Brock, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “John prophecies from the womb,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD)

"Not yet born, already John prophesies and, while still in the enclosure of his mother's womb, confesses the coming of Christ with movements of joy - since he could not do so with his voice. As Elizabeth says to holy Mary, 'As soon as you greeted me, the child in my womb exulted for joy.' John exults, then, before he is born. Before his eyes can see what the world looks like, he can recognize the Lord of the world with his spirit. In this regard, I think that the prophetic phrase is appropriate: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you came forth from the womb I sanctified you' (Jeremiah 1:5). Thus we ought not to marvel that after Herod put him in prison, he continued to announce Christ to his disciples from his confinement, when even confined in the womb he preached the same Lord by his movements." (excerpt from SERMON 5.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:39-56 comments that Mary isn’t just stopping by on her way to somewhere else. No, it’s a visitation with a serious purpose.

Just as she did with Elizabeth, Mary is eager to visit you, too. In all of your challenges or uncertainties, she can be there to help you through her prayers and example. Let her companionship be a source of encouragement for you.

“Lord, thank you for sending Mary to visit me!” (Meditation on Luke 1:39-56, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the extension of the passage from Zephaniah to the raising of Jerusalem by Jesus. Paul concludes his letter encouraging hospitality and graciousness to others. Friar Jude connects the visit of Mary. the New Ark of the Covenant, to Elizabeth to the action of David in bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

Rev. Dr. James Hanvey SJ, who lectures in Systematic Theology at Heythrop College, suggests that our particular contemplation of the Mother of God should not be limited just to May. Through Mary we receive and understand the grace of God in a special way - ‘we see the truth of God’s promises fulfilled’.

Here is that reversal of the Kingdom, celebrated in Mary’s Magnificat: where the ‘yes’ is not an act of subjection or subservice, but a self-gift of loving service which lives in the transcendence of God’s own self-gift; it is the way in which we choose to live beyond ourselves, not for ourselves, ‘but for him.’ In this sense, Mary is also the stumbling block for all the atheistic secularisms and their values which can sometimes creep into even Christian life and ways of thinking. Mary, who always draws us into the life of her Son, also keeps us open to the mystery that is God’s redemption and sanctification of the human and created order. In this way we can discover the constantly new beginning, the natality of the Spirit which allows us to announce our Magnificat not only in May but in every time and season. (Hanvey, 2012)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers who describes how the Holy Spirit helps us to follow Jesus’ way of self-emptying love in times of immense transition. This is a very non-American way of being. Think of the phrases that shape our national identity. We assert our “right” to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” which means we are free—and even expected—to organize our lives around our own individual desires. So much of our American story consists of groups of people protecting themselves and what’s theirs, with a gun or a flag or the cloak of racial, class, or gender privilege.

Jesus’s story is exactly the opposite. In this moment, as we reckon with the limits and consequences of self-centrism, domination systems, and the church’s capitulation to empire, we could lean into the Jesus way. We could reclaim kenosis [self-emptying], or perhaps claim it for the first time. [4] 

Imagine recentering on the God we know in Jesus. Imagine becoming practicing communities that follow Jesus and embody his community of love. The forces of empire and establishment will tell you that’s a worthy cause but impossible in this day and age. They are wrong. What it takes is disciples who together follow Jesus in his Way of Love, lean fully into the Spirit that animated him, and try to do what he did and live as he lived, so that we, our communities, and the whole world might become more like him. [5] (Rohr, 2023)

We are prompted by the Spirit to live with the grace and peace modeled by Mary as she responds to her call as Mother of Jesus.

References

Brock, M. L. (2023, May 31). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/053123.html 

Hanvey, J. (2012, June 1). A Timeless Magnificat. Thinking Faith. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120601_2.htm 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12?2 

Luke, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?39 

Meditation on Luke 1:39-56. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/31/695170/ 

Rohr, R. (2023, May 31). The “Age of the Spirit” — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-age-of-the-spirit-2023-05-31/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/12?9 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Joyful Anticipation of the Messiah. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may31a 

Zephaniah, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zephaniah/3?14 

 

Sacrifice and Reward

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today identify the nature of the sacrifice we are called to accept as the Spirit leads us to transformation of our environment.

Sacrifice and Transformation

The reading from the Book of Sirach shares the Law and Sacrifices.

* [35:1–26] Keeping the commandments of the law and avoiding injustice constitute sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God (vv. 1–5). Offerings also should be made to him, cheerfully and generously; these he repays sevenfold (vv. 6–13). Extortion from widows and orphans is injustice, and God will hear their cries (vv. 14–22a). Punishing the proud and the merciless and coming to the aid of the distressed, he requites everyone according to their deeds (vv. 22b–26).

* [35:3] Fine flour, together with oil and frankincense, was a prescribed offering to God; cf. Lv 2:1–3.

* [35:16] Cf. Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17. The divine impartiality is paradoxical, for it is tilted toward the poor. (Sirach, CHAPTER 35, n.d.)

Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.

* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark declares that from the goodness of God, we receive a hundredfold.

* [10:23–27] In the Old Testament wealth and material goods are considered a sign of God’s favor (Jb 1:10; Ps 128:1–2; Is 3:10). The words of Jesus in Mk 10:23–25 provoke astonishment among the disciples because of their apparent contradiction of the Old Testament concept (Mk 10:24, 26). Since wealth, power, and merit generate false security, Jesus rejects them utterly as a claim to enter the kingdom. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift (Mk 10:27). (Mark, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available, today, at time of publication.

Don Schwager quotes “The spiritual sense of leaving the family,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"Do not let this passage trouble you. Put it side by side with the still harder saying Jesus delivered in another place in the words, 'Whoever hates not father, and mother, and children, and his own life besides, cannot be my disciple' (Luke 14:26). Note that the God of peace, who exhorts us to love our enemies, does not arbitrarily require us literally to hate or abandon those dearest to us. But if we are to love our enemies, it must be in accordance with right reason that, by analogy we should also love our nearest relatives... But insofar as one's father, or son, or brother, becomes for you a hindrance to faith or an impediment to godly life, one should then not collude with that temptation. Attend to the spiritual, rather than the fleshly, meaning of the command." (excerpt from SALVATION OF THE RICH MAN 22.13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12 comments that our reward probably won’t be a material reward like a pay raise or a new car. That’s not what God’s love looks like. He isn’t a God of transactions and spreadsheets. The Lord always repays. Sevenfold. That’s quite a promise!

There’s no doubt that life can be hard, and being cheerful can be even harder. Jesus knows this even better than we do. So when he promises to reward your efforts, you can believe him. It’s worth the effort. He is worth the effort!

“Lord, help me to face each situation with a joyful, cheerful heart.” (Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the discovery of a Hebrew copy of Sirach that corrected the understanding that it had only been written in Greek in the late 2nd Century BCE. When we go to Church we celebrate righteousness now and in the future. Friar Jude notes that this is not a passage of the Gospel of Prosperity but an affirmation of the joy and meaning of a life that shares in the Cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, points to the witness of the prophets to demonstrate how the Holy Spirit works within to wake us up to who we are.

Until an objective inner witness (the Holy Spirit; see Romans 8:16) emerges that looks back at us with utter honesty, we cannot speak of being awake or conscious. That is at the heart of what we mean by “waking up.” Until then, most of us are on cruise control and cannot see our egocentricity at work.  

Unfortunately, people so fear a negative and judgmental critic that they never seem to access the “Compassionate Witness” promised us in the gift of the Holy Spirit (see John 14:16–26). How wonderful that John calls the Holy Spirit parakletos (Greek for “defense attorney”). It is painful but necessary to be critical of your own system, whatever it is. But do know it will never make you popular. [1] (Rohr, 2023)

Theologian Grace Ji Sun-Kim describes how the Holy Spirit seeks transformation for all.

Christ is portrayed as a “life-giving Spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). The believer has a responsibility to live her life in the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:4–6, 14). This responsibility should not be taken lightly, as one should not ignore the depth of the Spirit’s power. Walking in the power of the Spirit is life-changing, as the Spirit becomes an agent through which transformations can occur. [2] (Rohr, 2023)

We are called to a life of meaning and joy as workers with Christ, guided by the Spirit, to renew the face of the earth.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10? 

Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/30/694432/ 

Psalms, PSALM 50. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?5  

Rohr, R. (2023, May 30). Waking up Our Conscience — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/waking-up-our-conscience-2023-05-30/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). We Have Left Everything and Followed You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may30 

Sirach, CHAPTER 35. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/35?1