The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reflect on how our need for protection interacts with our relationship with Jesus.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah shares the vision of the Man with a Measuring Line and makes an appeal to the Exiles returned from Babylon.
* [2:5] Measuring cord: a string for measuring, as opposed to a builder’s string, 1:16.
* [2:8] That official: probably the man with the measuring cord of v. 5.
* [2:9] Encircling wall of fire: divine protection for an unwalled Jerusalem. Urban centers were generally walled, and Jerusalem’s walls were eventually rebuilt in the late fifth century B.C. (Neh 2:17–20). (Zechariah, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
The Prophet Jeremiah responds with a passage about turning mourning into joy.
* [31:2–3] Jeremiah describes the exiles of the Northern Kingdom on their way home from the nations where the Assyrians had resettled them (722/721 B.C.). The favor they discover in the wilderness is the appearance of the Lord (v. 3) coming to guide them to Jerusalem. Implicit in these verses is the presentation of the people’s return from captivity as a second exodus, a unifying theme in Second Isaiah (chaps. 40–55). (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus again Foretells His Death.
* [9:7–56] This section in which Luke gathers together incidents that focus on the identity of Jesus is introduced by a question that Herod is made to ask in this gospel: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”(Lk 9:9) In subsequent episodes, Luke reveals to the reader various answers to Herod’s question: Jesus is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s people (Lk 9:10–17); Peter declares Jesus to be “the Messiah of God” (Lk 9:18–21); Jesus says he is the suffering Son of Man (Lk 9:22, 43–45); Jesus is the Master to be followed, even to death (Lk 9:23–27); Jesus is God’s son, his Chosen One (Lk 9:28–36). (Luke, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)
Mike Cherney (2015) comments there are psychologists (and political advisors) who will claim that fear is the primary motivation for everything. Fear of failure and fear of embarrassment become more personally important the more that we derive our self worth on the basis of how others perceive us. History, as embodied in today’s first reading and the response, does not promise an easy ride, but it does offer God as a protector on the way. My prayer today is for liberation from the paralysis that fear may bring.
Dear Lord,
I ask for wisdom to know your ways and my purpose.
I ask for the courage to act in your service.
I ask for the ability to listen and to discern.
I ask for knowledge to avoid sins of commission.
I ask for the fortitude to avoid sins of omission. (Cherney, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “The scapegoat foreshadowed Christ's passion,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The mystery of the passion may be seen also in another instance. According to the Mosaic law, two goats were offered. They were not different in any way from one another (Leviticus 16:7-8), but they were alike in size and appearance. Of these, one was called 'the lord,' and the other was called 'sent-away.' When the lot was cast for the one called 'lord,' it was sacrificed. The other one was sent away from the sacrifice, and therefore had the name of 'sent-away.' Who was signified by this? The Word, though he was God, was in our likeness and took the form of us sinners, as far as the nature of the flesh was concerned. The male or female goat was sacrificed for sins. Death was our desert, for we had fallen under the divine curse because of sin. When the Savior of all undertook the responsibility, he transferred to himself what was due to us and laid down his life, that we might be sent away from death and destruction."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 53) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15 comments that through his cross, Jesus has made a new eternal covenant with us. He has promised never to leave our side. So how can we experience his presence?
Because he came to dwell among us as a doorway to eternal life, Jesus will keep heaven open for us (John 10:7-10). This is not just an abstract idea but an ongoing promise of renewal for both body and soul. He even pours out his heavenly grace to sustain us on our way.
Jesus will never abandon us. He will never abandon you. He will always be “Emmanuel, . . . God is with us” (Matthew 1:23)!
“Jesus, thank you for dwelling with me now so that I can dwell with you forever!” (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler, reflecting on the second chapter of Zechariah, notes he wrote about the same time as Haggai as the exiles from Babylon were returning to Jerusalem. Jesus identifies with the Son of Man from Daniel 7 and uses the Suffering Servant of Second Isaiah to redefine the Messiah. Friar Jude reminds us Jesus comes not as a conquering hero but as suffering to conquer sin, loneliness and alienation.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Cherokee descendent and theologian Randy Woodley who describes the sacred power of giving oneself over to nature in the vulnerability of sleep.
Sleeping in the bosom of nature is not the same as sleeping in the safety of one’s own home. Not at all. As you lay your body down to become one with the Earth, reality shifts. In that state, you can sense that God, Creator, is listening to the intentions of your heart. Whatever the mysterious power is behind creation, it softens one’s mind. Great Mystery unscrews the tight lids of the jars of certainty that you hold too tightly, too fiercely. You realize, sometimes even trembling, that something greater than yourself is meeting you.
There, in the restful unknown world between sleep and wakefulness, you give yourself to those elements, to Spirit, in the kind of vulnerability a newborn to the world must experience. (Rohr, 2022)
We seek to be open to the Spirit who reveals the Presence of God in the people and experiences of our journey.
References
Cherney, M. (2023, September 30). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/093023.html
Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/31?10
Luke, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?
Meditation on Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/09/30/794527/
Rohr, R. (2022, August 30). Sacred Space. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/sacred-space-2/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were Astonished at the Majesty of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=sep30
Zechariah, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/2?5
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