Errors and Unbelief

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess the assertions and programs that may lead us away from truth, goodness and compassion.

Look to Our Foundations

The reading from the Book of Wisdom declares the Error of the Wicked.

* [2:1–20] In this speech the wicked deny survival after death and indeed invite death by their evil deeds. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 34 offers praise for Deliverance from Trouble.

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents the Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers and at the Festival of Booths the question “Is This the Christ?”

*  [7:14–31] Jesus teaches in the temple; debate with the Jews.

* [7:26] The authorities: the members of the Sanhedrin (same term as Jn 3:1). (John, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that the wicked are threatened by the righteous and need to get rid of them in order to continue their own wicked ways unperturbed.

But the Lord hears the cries of the poor and confronts the evildoers. The wicked say if the righteous are right, then God will save them. And God does. The wicked may succeed here. And often do. There is evil and it always tries to do away with the good. Jesus says that he is from God and follows God, “the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." The bad guys are wrong, but they can be powerful and in charge. Their plans to do away with the good can be strong. But whatever success they have does not make them right. Getting rid of the good does not make the wrong right. The right path is still the path of the good, the path that leads to God. (Whitney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ our physician,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"As Christians, our task is to make daily progress toward God. Our pilgrimage on earth is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, not ones who play truant. In this school we learn something every day. We learn something from commandments, something from examples, and something from sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds and materials for study." (excerpt from Sermon 218c,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 7:1-2, 10, 25-3 comments that we are now at a point during Lent when the plot quickens, and our readings begin to point toward the cross. Jesus has already revealed himself as the Messiah. But many in authority not only fail to welcome his light, but they actively seek to extinguish it. Now every time Jesus openly announces himself, his very life is in danger.

Do you ever feel as if you’re stumbling in the darkness? Jesus is crying out to you! He is calling you by name so that you can come out of the darkness into the light of his love. So listen to his voice. Don’t run away or snuff out his light! Welcome him, come close to him, and allow him to bring his light into your heart.

“Lord Jesus, I hear you calling me. Come, shine your light in me.” (Meditation on John 7:1-2, 10, 25-3, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Book of Wisdom, written in and influenced by Greek language and philosophy, is not included in the Jewish or Protestant Canon. The recompense of the hidden counsel of God and an afterlife (a later development in Jewish theology) is presented. Friar Jude notes that John observes those that think in earthly ways cannot understand the signs that point to a spiritual reality of healing and forgiveness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, turns to Scripture and contemplation in the face of collective suffering. If contemplation means anything, it means that we can “safeguard that little piece of You, God,” as Etty Hillesum describes. What other power do we have now? All else is tearing us apart, inside and out. We cannot abide in such a place for any length of time or it will become our prison.

God cannot abide with us in a place of fear. 

God cannot abide with us in a place of ill will or hatred. 

God cannot abide with us inside a nonstop volley of claim and counterclaim. 

God cannot abide with us in an endless flow of online punditry and analysis. 

God cannot speak inside of so much angry noise and conscious deceit. 

God cannot be born except in a womb of Love. 

So offer God that womb. 

Contemplation can help stand watch at the door of your senses, so chaos cannot make its way into your soul. If we allow it for too long, it will become who we are, and we’ll no longer have natural access to the life-giving “really deep well” that Etty Hillesum returned to so often to find freedom. 

In this time, I suggest some form of public service, volunteerism, mystical reading from the masters, prayer—or, preferably, all of the above. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we are confronted daily by claims and actions that challenge our call to live in Jesus’ Way.

References

John, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/7?1 

Meditation on John 7:1-2, 10, 25-3. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/04/1240483/ 

Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?17 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-deep-well-within/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). His Hour Had Not yet Come. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr4 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040425.html 

Wisdom, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/2?1 

Witness and Idols

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine the “idols” to which we give attention while ignoring the fullness of life Jesus invites us to experience.

Consider Our Idols

The reading from the Book of Exodus describes the Golden Calf.

* [32:11–13] Moses uses three arguments to persuade the Lord to remain faithful to the Sinai covenant even though the people have broken it: (1) they are God’s own people, redeemed with God’s great power; (2) God’s reputation will suffer if they are destroyed; (3) the covenant with Abraham still stands. The Lord’s change of mind is a testimony to Israel’s belief in the power of intercessory prayer. (Exodus, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 106 contains a Confession of Israel’s Sins.

* [Psalm 106] Israel is invited to praise the God whose mercy has always tempered judgment of Israel (Ps 106:1–3). The speaker, on behalf of all, seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin (Ps 106:4–5). Confident of God’s mercy, the speaker invites national repentance (Ps 106:6) by reciting from Israel’s history eight instances of sin, judgment, and forgiveness. The sins are the rebellion at the Red Sea (Ps 106:6–12; see Ex 14–15), the craving for meat in the desert (Ps 106:13–15; see Nm 11), the challenge to Moses’ authority (Ps 106:16–18; see Nm 16), the golden calf episode (Ps 106:19–23; see Ex 32–34), (Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John identifies the Witnesses to Jesus.

* [5:32] Another: likely the Father, who in four different ways gives testimony to Jesus, as indicated in the verse groupings Jn 5:33–34, 36, 37–38, 39–40.

* [5:35] Lamp: cf. Ps 132:17—“I will place a lamp for my anointed (= David),” and possibly the description of Elijah in Sir 48:1. But only for a while, indicating the temporary and subordinate nature of John’s mission.

* [5:39] You search: this may be an imperative: “Search the scriptures, because you think that you have eternal life through them.”

* [5:41] Praise: the same Greek word means “praise” or “honor” (from others) and “glory” (from God). There is a play on this in Jn 5:44. (John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock comments that she had the opportunity of visiting the monastery which housed the famous monk, Thomas Merton. Over the arch leading into the monastery and chapel were the words: “God Alone.”

All this has me considering my idols. Anxiety over our country’s situation has me turning to news reports too often. Anxiety in general - I’m not in charge, why worry as if I must control events and outcomes? I'm sure we can all, with a little searching, find the ways we lack trust in Jesus. Each day gives me innumerable opportunities to renew my trust in Jesus. As the poet Rumi said long ago, “Try something different: surrender." (Braddock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ is our Master who teaches us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354- 430 A.D.

"There is a Master within Who teaches us. Christ is our Master, and his inspiration and his anointing teaches us. Where his inspiration and his anointing are lacking, it is in vain that words resound in our ears. As Paul the Apostle said: 'I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.' Therefore, whether we plant or whether we water by our words, we are nothing. It is God Who gives the increase; His anointing teaches you all things." (excerpt from Sermon on 1 John 3,13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 5:31-47 comments that we, too, can sometimes fail to notice or acknowledge the works of God or the effect they have on our lives. Yet when we take the time to step back and look at all that God is doing in us and for us, we can grow in faith and in our love for him.

All these works testify to Jesus. Let’s remember to keep them in the forefront of our minds, especially when we are tempted to doubt the love and power of the Lord.

Jesus’ works didn’t stop when he ascended to heaven. He is working even now, even today. Can you see it?

“Lord, help me to recognize and give thanks to you for all the great works you are doing in the world today!” (Meditation on John 5:31-47, 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the chutzpah of Moses as he talks down God by recalling the promises of the Covenant with Israel. The Gospel of John declares Jesus as the witness from the Father who reveals who God is and what God requires of people. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus is the Great Prophet that Moses to whom Moses gave witness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Reverend Liz Walker, the founder of the Can We Talk… network, which creates safe spaces for people to connect through sharing their stories. She describes the importance of contemplative, healing practices to support the work of social justice.

[In contemplative practice] we are fully claiming the space and community we are in. We are seeking help in tending to our suffering. We are honoring our ancestors who testified, danced, and sang their way to transcendence in the midst of chaos and pain. In celebrating those past practices, we gently hold this community in hope and possibility. We trust that whatever needs to be healed will be healed by the Spirit of a creative God who works in and through us…. (Rohr, n.d.)

Dr. [Barbara] Holmes writes that the civil rights movement was born through the contemplative spirit of the Black church.  

The spark that ignited the justice movements did not come from the hierarchical institutional black church. Rather, it was the quixotic and limber heart of that institution, its flexible, spiritually open, and mystical center, that ignited first the young people and then their elders to move their symbolic initiatives from ritual ring shouts to processional and contemplative marches. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We are challenged to recognize the “idols” we tend to advocate as “First” in our lives as we implore the Spirit to energize our commitment to Jesus' Way of truth, compassion, and love.

References

Braddock, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040325.html 

Exodus, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/32?7 

John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/5?31 

Meditation on John 5:31-47. (2025, April 3). The Word Among Us. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/03/1239902/ 

Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/106?19 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Foundation Is Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-foundation-is-contemplation/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr3