Ingratitude and Authority

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us to avoid complacency and implore the Spirit for gratitude and courage as we deal with difficulty on our journey.

Gratitude and Courage

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims the Rest That God Promised.

Psalm 78 praises God’s Goodness and Israel’s Ingratitude

* [Psalm 78] A recital of history to show that past generations did not respond to God’s gracious deeds and were punished by God making the gift into a punishment. Will Israel fail to appreciate God’s act—the choosing of Zion and of David? The tripartite introduction invites Israel to learn the lessons hidden in its traditions (Ps 78:1–4, 5–7, 8–11); each section ends with the mention of God’s acts. (Psalms, PSALM 78 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Heals a Paralytic.

* [2:1–2] He was at home: to the crowds that gathered in and outside the house Jesus preached the word, i.e., the gospel concerning the nearness of the kingdom and the necessity of repentance and faith (Mk 1:14).

* [2:5] It was the faith of the paralytic and those who carried him that moved Jesus to heal the sick man. Accounts of other miracles of Jesus reveal more and more his emphasis on faith as the requisite for exercising his healing powers (Mk 5:34; 9:23–24; 10:52).

* [2:6] Scribes: trained in oral interpretation of the written law; in Mark’s gospel, adversaries of Jesus, with one exception (Mk 12:28, 34).

* [2:7] He is blaspheming: an accusation made here and repeated during the trial of Jesus (Mk 14:60–64).

* [2:10] But that you may know that the Son of Man…on earth: although Mk 2:8–9 are addressed to the scribes, the sudden interruption of thought and structure in Mk 2:10 seems not addressed to them nor to the paralytic. Moreover, the early public use of the designation “Son of Man” to unbelieving scribes is most unlikely. The most probable explanation is that Mark’s insertion of Mk 2:10 is a commentary addressed to Christians for whom he recalls this miracle and who already accept in faith that Jesus is Messiah and Son of God. (Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky presents a midrash that explores one alternative for how Jonathan (the name of the paralytic in this story) decides to live after picking up his mat.

I will praise God daily for restoring my body and do as the rabbi instructed.  I will tell everyone who has not heard about my healing, the anointed One of God who gave me back my life. (Janky, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Reverse your relation with sickness,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you." (excerpt from HOMILY 50.6)

[Peter Chrysologus was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 2:1-12 comments that their persistence paid off. “When Jesus saw their faith,” he didn’t just heal their friend’s paralysis; he forgave his sins as well (Mark 2:5). Jesus made him new inside and out!

But don’t stop there! Think about your loved ones. Is there anyone you need to bring to the Lord? What sort of obstacles must you break through in order to intercede for them? Maybe you’ve begun to believe that your pleas have gone nowhere so far, so you might as well give up. Maybe you’re feeling that your friend’s situation is too dire to take any action. Whatever it is, remember the persistence and creativity of the friends in today’s Gospel. Let their example give you courage to keep asking Jesus for his healing and mercy! 

“Jesus, I believe that nothing is beyond your ability to heal and forgive!” (Meditation on Mark 2:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the concept of rest as experienced by the delay for the Israelites to enter the promised land and our entry into the rest of eternal life. The pattern of healing; situation, appeal, action, and reaction breaks down as the Scribes claim blasphemy in reacting to Jesus. Friar Jude reminds us of Jesus' understanding that it is easier to heal a broken limb than a broken heart.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces activist Sandhya Jha who describes the powerful example of a group of Muslim and Jewish women in the United States. Relationship building has emerged through the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, originally a group of 12 women in New Jersey that now has local chapters all over the country.

The local Kansas City chapter’s social action was to step in and provide meals at a local cancer treatment center during Christmas so that the Christian volunteers could spend the holiday with their families, creating another relational bridge in the process. [SOSS board member Amber Khan] also said there was something really powerful in the fact that in order to deal with anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, the women needed to confront the “isms” they had internalized about each other in order to be in true relationship with each other, and that has been some of the most powerful work she has witnessed.  

What Amber values is that the women of the local chapters “are not professional organizers; they’re women who said, ‘my community needs healing and I want to be a part of that.’” When white nationalists desecrated mosques, the Jewish community showed up in force, sometimes even sharing worship spaces.   

“I think there’s more of a sense of urgency,” says Aftab at the Sisterhood. “We’ve heard from people all over the country, even all over the world, saying, ‘I need to reach out and do something constructive rather than be affected by this fear in a negative way.’”  (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to enliven our gift of courage so that we may demonstrate truth, faith, and love in visible ways in our environment.

References

Janky, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011725.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?1 

Meditation on Mark 2:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/17/1181752/ 

Psalms, PSALM 78 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/78?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Power of Sisterhood. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-power-of-sisterhood/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan17 

Heart for Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reassess the situations where we have separated ourselves from others and petition the Spirit to guide us to a heart for healing.

Healing Together

The Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews is a warning against unbelief and a reminder of Israel’s Infidelity.

* [3:7–4:13] The author appeals for steadfastness of faith in Jesus, basing his warning on the experience of Israel during the Exodus. In the Old Testament the Exodus had been invoked as a symbol of the return of Israel from the Babylonian exile (Is 42:9; 43:16–21; 51:9–11). In the New Testament the redemption was similarly understood as a new exodus, both in the experience of Jesus himself (Lk 9:31) and in that of his followers (1 Cor 10:1–4). The author cites Ps 95:7–11, a salutary example of hardness of heart, as a warning against the danger of growing weary and giving up the journey. To call God living (Heb 3:12) means that he reveals himself in his works (cf. Jos 3:10; Jer 10:11). The rest (Heb 3:11) into which Israel was to enter was only a foreshadowing of that rest to which Christians are called. They are to remember the example of Israel’s revolt in the desert that cost a whole generation the loss of the promised land (Heb 3:15–19; cf. Nm 14:20–29). In Heb 4:1–11, the symbol of rest is seen in deeper dimension: because the promise to the ancient Hebrews foreshadowed that given to Christians, it is good news; and because the promised land was the place of rest that God provided for his people, it was a share in his own rest, which he enjoyed after he had finished his creative work (Heb 3:3–4; cf. Gn 2:2). The author attempts to read this meaning of God’s rest into Ps 95:7–11 (Heb 3:6–9). The Greek form of the name of Joshua, who led Israel into the promised land, is Jesus (Heb 3:8). The author plays upon the name but stresses the superiority of Jesus, who leads his followers into heavenly rest. Heb 3:12, 13 are meant as a continuation of the warning, for the word of God brings judgment as well as salvation. Some would capitalize the word of God and see it as a personal title of Jesus, comparable to that of Jn 1:1–18. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 95 is a Call to Worship and Obedience.

* [Psalm 95] Twice the Psalm calls the people to praise and worship God (Ps 95:1–2, 6), the king of all creatures (Ps 95:3–5) and shepherd of the flock (Ps 95:7a, 7b). The last strophe warns the people to be more faithful than were their ancestors in the journey to the promised land (Ps 95:7c–11). This invitation to praise God regularly opens the Church’s official prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours. (Psalms, PSALM 95 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Cleanses a Leper.

* [1:40] A leper: for the various forms of skin disease, see Lv 13:1–50 and the note on Lv 13:2–4. There are only two instances in the Old Testament in which God is shown to have cured a leper (Nm 12:10–15; 2 Kgs 5:1–14). The law of Moses provided for the ritual purification of a leper. In curing the leper, Jesus assumes that the priests will reinstate the cured man into the religious community. See also note on Lk 5:14. (Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reflection from Angela Maynard Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available at publication time.

Don Schwager quotes “Why did Jesus touch the leper,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

And why did [Jesus] touch him, since the law forbade the touching of a leper? He touched him to show that 'all things are clean to the clean' (Titus 1:15). Because the filth that is in one person does not adhere to others, nor does external uncleanness defile the clean of heart. So he touches him in his untouchability, that he might instruct us in humility; that he might teach us that we should despise no one, or abhor them, or regard them as pitiable, because of some wound of their body or some blemish for which they might be called to render an account... So, stretching forth his hand to touch, the leprosy immediately departs. The hand of the Lord is found to have touched not a leper, but a body made clean! Let us consider here, beloved, if there be anyone here that has the taint of leprosy in his soul, or the contamination of guilt in his heart? If he has, instantly adoring God, let him say: 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.' (excerpt from FRAGMENTS ON MATTHEW 2.2-3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 3:7-14 comments that today’s passage from Hebrews makes an observation about our lives as Christians. We must “hold . . . firm” by pushing against the tides of temptation and discouragement so that we end up where God wants us to be (Hebrews 3:14). So how do we hold firm?

Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today” (Hebrews 3:13). We all need to be encouraged—each day, if necessary—to persevere in our life with the Lord. So be open to receiving the encouragement of your brothers and sisters in Christ. And be ready to encourage them as well. Walk beside someone who is doubting. Be a friend who listens. Remind them of God’s love. Above all, reassure them that it’s worth swimming against the tide in order to arrive at a place of freedom and peace!

“Lord, soften my heart so that I can hear your voice and stay close to you each day!” (Meditation on Hebrews 3:7-14, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the theme in the Letter to the Hebrews that the Hebrew Testament is a prefiguring of the time of Jesus. The rebellion that prohibited the entry of the ancestors to the Holy Land reappears in the rejection of Jesus. Today is the day to respond to the Lord and enter into his rest. Friar Jude reminds us of Jesus' desire to maintain the messianic secret so as to avoid treatment as a wonderworker.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Sikh activist Valarie Kaur who tells a brief story of Guru Nanak (1469–1539), founder of the Sikh faith.

Guru Nanak’s followers were called Sikhs, seekers or students…. Sikhs believed that people of all castes, genders, faiths, races, and places were equal…. It was a radical experiment that rebelled against the caste hierarchy and feudal order of the era, a mysticism that inspired revolutionary social change…. The ideal archetype in the Sikh tradition became the sant sipahi: the sage warrior. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the healing power of our relationship with Jesus and seek the support of the Spirit as we encounter the people on our journey.

References

Hebrews, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/3?7 

Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?40 

Meditation on Hebrews 3:7-14. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/16/1181104/ 

Psalms, PSALM 95 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/95?6 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Guru Nanak: A Sage Warrior. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/guru-nanak-a-sage-warrior/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Lord Jesus Can Make Me Clean. The Lord Jesus Can Make Me Clean. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan16