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 

Never Forgotten

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to recall the consistent presence of God in our lives presented today in feminine and masculine images of support for fullness of life.

I will never forget you

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah declares that Zion’s Children will Be Brought Home from exile.

* [49:8] You: the individual is not named; perhaps Cyrus or the prophet.

* [49:12] Syene: now called Aswan, at the first cataract of the Nile in southern Egypt. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John declares the authority of the Son and witnesses to Jesus.

* [5:17] Sabbath observance (10) was based on God’s resting on the seventh day (cf. Gn 2:2–3; Ex 20:11). Philo and some rabbis insisted that God’s providence remains active on the sabbath, keeping all things in existence, giving life in birth and taking it away in death. Other rabbis taught that God rested from creating, but not from judging (=ruling, governing). Jesus here claims the same authority to work as the Father, and, in the discourse that follows, the same divine prerogatives: power over life and death (Jn 5:21, 24–26) and judgment (Jn 5:22, 27).

* [5:19] This proverb or parable is taken from apprenticeship in a trade: the activity of a son is modeled on that of his father. Jesus’ dependence on the Father is justification for doing what the Father does.

* [5:21] Gives life: in the Old Testament, a divine prerogative (Dt 32:39; 1 Sm 2:6; 2 Kgs 5:7; Tb 13:2; Is 26:19; Dn 12:2).

* [5:22] Judgment: another divine prerogative, often expressed as acquittal or condemnation (Dt 32:36; Ps 43:1).

* [5:28–29] While Jn 5:19–27 present realized eschatology, Jn 5:28–29 are future eschatology; cf. Dn 12:2. (John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that God’s people so often respond inelegantly. It sounds like we have the blues.

And that is what I think Jesus has come to tell us. Jesus puts the swing in our faith. Can’t you just feel it in the words, “I am the resurrection and the life”? “Whoever believes in me will never die.”  Those words really swing for me! As we read the words of Jesus in the Gospel today, we can hear the upbeat. It is not about abandonment. It is about being saved. So, while we sing those down beat songs during Lent that remind us of our sins of despair, we can also sing the upbeat songs that lift us out of our darkness. Isaiah tells us, we can break forth into joyful sound and rejoice with all the earth for the mercy the Lord shows to the afflicted.

I pray this week that we can hear the upbeat way God speaks to us and that we can put some swing in our faith in the way we relate our faith to others. As the Lord comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted, we also can try a little kindness. Look up the old song, “Try a Little Kindness” by Glenn Campbell. It says it well, with swing! (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The wonderful exchange,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Unless the Word of God had first assumed our mortal flesh he could not have died for us. Only in that way was the immortal God able to die and to give life to mortal humans. Therefore, by this double sharing he brought about a wonderful exchange. We made death possible for him, and he made life possible for us." (excerpt from Sermon 218c,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 5:17-30 comments that Jesus continually reminds us that his Father is our Father. Every time we pray to “our Father, who art in heaven,” Jesus is there as well, inviting us into his Father’s loving embrace.

And when you gaze with gratitude on Jesus—especially when you fix your eyes on an image of Christ crucified—be sure to ask him to show you the outstretched arms of his Father. Ask him to tell you that he is your Father as well!

“Jesus, thank you for showing me the Father. Help me to walk with the Father as you did and to know his unfailing love.” (Meditation on John 5:17-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the sense among the Babylonian exiles that God was impotent. The feminine image of God in Isaiah 49 proclaims Israel is not forgotten and is the recipient of the unconditional love of God. Friar Jude notes the masculine image of God in John is rejected by the Pharisees because of Jesus' work on the Sabbath and His declaration of a special relationship with the Father.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest Adam Bucko who offers encouragement for action and contemplation amid circumstances of systemic injustice. He believes returning to the gospel and tending to our spiritual lives are essential practices in times of crisis and unknowing.

It may not be in our power to determine how things will unfold, but it is in our power to decide how we respond. It is in our power to hold on to the practices that nourish us, inform us, and give us courage. It is in our power to remain in integrity, to choose nonviolence and noncooperation in the face of all the violence we are already seeing. 

Jesus was clear: Love always. Bless those who persecute you. Forgive even the unforgivable. Turn the other cheek, not in surrender but in defiance of violence. Do not repay evil with evil, but overcome evil with good. This may not change the world, but sometimes it is important to do things simply because they are the right things to do. In the end, all we have is our integrity. So let us stand in it, grounded in the One who renews us each moment and calls us to a nonviolent witness of love—one that is big enough to hold both our friends and our oppressors, knowing that love endures beyond violence.  (Rohr, n.d.)

Reference:  

Adam Bucko, “This Demands a Response: A Call to Spiritual Defiance,” Contemplative Witness with Adam Bucko (Substack newsletter), February 14, 2025. Used with permission. 

When we ponder where we can go in times of chaos and disruption we remember the Divine promise that we are never forgotten and we restate our faith, hope, and love in the guidance of the Spirit in our actions to support all people.

References

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040225.html 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/49?8 

John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/5?17 

Meditation on John 5:17-30. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/02/1239355/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?8 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Gospel Instructions. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/gospel-instructions/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Father Is Working Still, and I Am Working. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr2