The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the political and personal powers that propose our acceptance of paths on our journey that deny truth, beauty, goodness, peace, compassion, and mercy to all humanity.
In the reading from the First Book of Maccabees pagan worship is refused.
* [2:1] Modein: a village about twenty miles northwest of Jerusalem, the family’s ancestral home (see 2:70; 9:19).
* [2:18] The King’s Friends: a regular order of nobility at Hellenistic courts (see 10:65; 11:27). (1 Maccabees, CHAPTER 2, 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.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.
* [19:41–44] The lament for Jerusalem is found only in Luke. By not accepting Jesus (the one who mediates peace), Jerusalem will not find peace but will become the victim of devastation.
* [19:43–44] Luke may be describing the actual disaster that befell Jerusalem in A.D. 70 when it was destroyed by the Romans during the First Revolt. (Luke, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that there are wars of all kinds going on within the estranged factions within our country. Jesus was aware of the unwelcoming the prophets who had a visitation within the walls of Jerusalem. They had been called by the love of God to speak of peace and justice among the religious and political forces contending within the sacred precincts of this holy city.
As Jesus wept tears of sadness, we can pray likewise over family, racial, political, ethnical, religious and sectional hurts of the past and present. We are praying with the tremendous sufferings among the innocent children, women and men of both warring factions. Perhaps Jesus is weeping over His world these very days. (Gillick, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus fulfills the beatitude for those who weep,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"When our Lord and Savior approached Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept... By his example, Jesus confirms all the Beatitudes that he speaks in the Gospel. By his own witness, he confirms what he teaches. 'Blessed are the meek,' he says. He says something similar to this of himself: 'Learn from me, for I am meek.' 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' What other man brought as much peace as my Lord Jesus, who 'is our peace,' who 'dissolves hostility' and 'destroys it in his own flesh' (Ephesians 2:14-15). 'Blessed are those who suffer persecution because of justice.'
"No one suffered such persecution because of justice as did the Lord Jesus, who was crucified for our sins. The Lord therefore exhibited all the Beatitudes in himself. For the sake of this likeness, he wept, because of what he said, 'Blessed are those who weep,' to lay the foundations for this beatitude as well. He wept for Jerusalem and said,'If only you had known on that day what meant peace for you! But now it is hidden from your eyes,' and the rest, to the point where he says, 'Because you did not know the time of your visitation'" (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 38.1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Maccabees 2:15-29 comments that while we certainly shouldn’t embrace everything Mattathias did, it’s not hard to admire his commitment to the Lord. In fact, without the heroism of Mattathias and his sons, Judaism might not have survived.
As Mattathias determined in his heart to stand by God and God’s ways in the face of severe opposition, you, too, can be just as determined today. You can decide that God’s ways are worth holding onto, no matter what outside or inside forces might be pushing against you. When Jesus asks you to love your enemies, you can determine to push away bitterness and grudges and choose forgiveness. When Jesus asks you to pray for someone’s healing, you can keep doubt and discouragement at bay and keep praying for them. When Jesus asks you to keep the Sabbath holy, you can resist the temptation to skip Mass. Even if you are the only one in your family or group of friends going, go!
So let the witness of Mattathias, and every hero of the faith who came after him, proclaim to you: the Lord is worthy of your whole heart!
“Lord, I love your ways! Give me the courage today to follow you with my whole life.” (Meditation on 1 Maccabees 2:15-29, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler shares a reflection on the texts for Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes the gratitude that flows from Francis of Assisi’s relationship with nature and God.
The birds are to live in gratitude, which, of course, undoubtedly reflects the disposition of Francis’ own soul. We also see in the “Canticle of the Creatures” that Francis claims all the world as family. Everything becomes brother or sister. I think that comes out of a mystical and contemplative insight that recognizes we are all part of this great chain of being, that these are brothers and sisters, and therefore we may not disrespect them. God loves these creatures. God has given them so many good things. Of course, the assumption is that since God loves them, they are objectively lovable; therefore, we are to love them. This becomes the beginning of Francis’ universal worldview: all created things are a mirror that reflects the Creator. (Rohr, 2023)
We seek the enlightenment of the Spirit to recognize and reject the forces in our environment that attempt to compel us to accept programs and policy that take us away from the Way of Jesus.
References
Gillick, L. (2023, November 23). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112323.html
Luke, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/19?
Meditation on 1 Maccabees 2:15-29. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/23/835242/
1 Maccabees, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/2?15
Psalms, PSALM 50. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?1
Rohr, R. (2023, June 16). A Grateful Disposition. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-grateful-disposition/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov23
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