And Now... Compassion!

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present a view of the compassion which is characteristic in relationship with the Divine. David learns that his son Absalom, who had been plotting against him, has been killed. The rival enemy who is also son is a too human conflict for which resolution may come in the defeat of one. This is joyless and in the case of David it is an occasion for deep mourning.  David is truly in need of the comfort expressed by the compassion of his soldiers in the second Book of Samuel. The psalmist cries out in supplication to God from a position of a life in threat. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus compassion is expressed in the examples of suffering with the synagogue leader, Jairus and the woman with haemorrhages. The "Messianic secret" is maintained as Jesus desires to bring Divine healing without presenting miracles as the basis of the intimate relationship to which He wishes to invite people. Compassion calls us to "suffer with" now and bring this suffering to our relationship with God where the peace and healing is found.

Responding with a Presence sense

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary present episodes in which an awareness of the Presence of God shapes the outcome of events in surprising ways. The son of David, Absalom, is seeking to remove his father as king. The second book of Samuel tells of the flight of David from Jerusalem and his encounter with Shimei, a Benjaminite, who curses the king and throws rocks at him. The power of pride and the ego should have moved David to have the man silenced, perhaps permanently. Instead, David is keenly aware of the Presence of God and this relationship informs him of the likelihood that the fall from grace and prestige that David is experiencing is the consequence of his sinful actions. David retains the close intimacy with God as one forgiven, yet we do not escape the consequence of our transgressions on our life or the lives of others. Perhaps the great spiritual message is the Presence with us through our struggle, even those events which are consequential to our turning away from the way of God. The Gospel of Mark tells of Jesus journey in the country of the pagan Gerasenes. The Presence of God is recognized by the evil spirits in possession of a "demoniac". Some authors have suggested that the acceptance of addictive demons into our lives is an attempt to dampen the power of the 'ego' voices in our subconscious pushing us to take care of number one even to the point of self destruction. The relationship with God through the resonance of our indwelling Spirit with the Divine Spirit attracts us as direction which overcomes ego. The "demoniac" is aware that God is Present. After the dispatch of the demons, Jesus in an unusual move sends the man to tell his family and those in the neighbouring pagan cities what has happened.  The "Messianic Secret" is not part of the mission to the pagans. Is this surprising?

Really independent? that depends...

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time are offering an introduction to the change which we are invited to embrace as we continue our spiritual journey. The strong hand and mighty arm of God have been witnessed by the Israelites, led by Moses. They seek a kind of separation from the awe which borders on fear to a communication through a human prophet, who as Friar Jude Winkler points out, will see the life of the community with the "eyes of God" and communicate with them, inspired by God. The Israelites seek that independence which puts the day to day decisions about the path of Israel under their control. As the community develops this "necessary independence", Moses and the Psalmist implore them and us not to forget about hearing the directions from God. Paul writes to the Corinthians to advise that the dependance and anxieties of the married state might be wisely avoided as the people prepare for the end of the world which Paul believed, because of the Resurrection of Jesus, was imminent. Richard Rohr in his book, Falling Upward, writes of the necessary independent attitude and development of life skills in our youth or "first half of life". As we come to know our place in relationship with God and we glimpse that our true self is revealed in that relationship, we recognize as Fr Larry Gillick notes that independence may be one of the demons cast out by the growing Presence of Jesus in the "Holy Place" of our being. In the synagogue in Capernaum, according to the Gospel of Mark today, Jesus instructs the unclean spirit to be quiet. The relationship with Jesus and the model He sets for His followers grows through love, patience, peace, joy, mercy and forgiveness. It takes time for us to develop in intimacy with the Divine. The humility to consider that we depend on God is not easily found on most days.

Dealing with nature

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer meditation on the 
interaction between human behaviour and the response of God. The Prophet Nathan brings David a parable about a rich and powerful landowner who takes severe advantage of a poor herdsman in the passage from the Second Book of Samuel. The rage of David and his zeal for justice against the aggressor is stopped as Nathan reveals David's adulterous and murderous acts against Bathsheba's life are the real transgressions in Nathan's story. One human expectation might be the abandonment of David by God, yet as Psalm 51 so marvelously proclaims, the Lord will use the life and story of David to teach transgressors His Ways. There are consequences when people turn away from the guidance of the Divine and pursue their own lusts and passions. David is the ancient example but the consequence of "taking care of number one" is visible in shattered relationships, anger and violence every day. The "natural" drive to satisfy our desires is countered by the "supernatural" invitation to mercy, forgiveness and intimacy from God to us and like reconciliation we can offer those who transgress against us through the power of the Spirit. The Gospel of Mark presents in straightforward language, explained by Friar Jude Winkler as the tone of the Gospel, the supernatural power to calm the storms of fear, doubt, uncertainty and loss of control by the Faith which recognizes that the journey is part of the mission when the disciple is accompanied by Christ.

What an example

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer some examples of the mystery of the relationship of God and people. The passage from the second Book of Samuel
relates the episode of David's severe transgressions of adultery and murder. The mystery is that the relationship between God and David continues after these events. What is the degree to which humans can deviate from the straight and narrow before God gives up on us? Certainly, our need to be reassured that the love of God is unconditional and full of mercy is addressed by the example of David. The Gospel of Mark presents parables which reveal that the time and amounts by which humans assess progress are not the measures of the Divine. How long will you take, Lord? is an ancient and modern petition. The time is God's domain. The seed planted, however insignificant in our eyes, will under Providence bear the fruit intended. We can reflect on the mustard seed of our own faith. What growth have we experienced this year? this decade? during our life? Our time is not God's time and our ways are not the ways of the Divine. Thank God.

The Mission is inspired

The memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, disciples of Paul, follow yesterday's celebration of the conversion of Paul. The Roman Catholic Lectionary offers a selection of readings which differ in Canada and the US. The letter to Timothy, according to Friar Jude Winkler, was written by a disciple of Paul and it encourages Timothy, who is of Jewish heritage through his mother and grandmother to be aware of the power of the Holy Spirit in his ministry as a source of love and self discipline for his daily work. Titus is a young man, a Gentile, who has authority to appoint elders for the communities in Crete. The guidance of the Spirit is the support he will need to address the needs and concerns of believers and followers of the Way who are older and more experience than he. The mission to proclaim the Presence of the kingdom of God is described in the Gospel from Luke with instructions on how the peace of intimate relationship with the Divine is to be witnessed in actions of the missionaries. Peace is to be communicated as fruit of the Kingdom. Attention to differences in culture, experience and age is required and is guided by the prompting of the indwelling Spirit in communion with the Spirit of God. Go out and be love and peace.

Convincing Cooperation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today commemorate the conversion of Saint Paul. The dramatic account of the one who persecuted the Way with great zeal being thrown blind from his horse on the road to Damascus after hearing Jesus question his current life direction is the stuff of Hollywood movies. A conversion experience like that would set me on my heels too, we conclude. The work of Paul in proclaiming the Good News to the Gentiles is nothing but the story of the most inspirational, dramatic, Spirit filled journey of personal struggle which continues to move people to greater intimacy with the Divine as the words and actions of "Saul, Saul" are brought to us through the letters to the Christian communities, the Book of Acts and the Christian tradition. The power of a human converted to serve the will of God is witness to the cooperation of our indwelling Spirit with the Holy Spirit. The passage from the Gospel of Mark provides a commissioning directive which according to Friar Jude Winkler was probably added to the Evangelist's text by a disciple. It reminds us, like the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew, that we are missioned to proclaim the Good News with our lives and that we should expect that the cooperation we give to the Spirit of God will result in the spread of healing and protection among people. 

The will to be family

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are tied to a theme of family and the motivation we have to act in a within our family. David is completing the centralization of his influence over the tribes of Israel by bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The political capital of the his kingdom will also be the home of the most sacred sign of the Presence of God in His Family. The advantages to the presentation of the glory and power of David of this cannot be overlooked. Friar Jude Winkler notes that the burnt offerings offered by David at this time gave him a share in the liturgical and priestly function of the people. Those situations in our lives where our need for self aggrandizement and things to go our way may be the manifestation of the need for our will to be in control, even though we might even attribute our action to doing the will of God. The will of God which is in line with our thinking and needs is easily accepted. The Gospel of Mark portrays a tension between the interests of Jesus family in the way He is bringing public attention to them in controversial encounters with the religious authorities and the proclamation that the family tie which brings life is the one which brings people together to act in accord with the Will of the Father. Our will for honour, position, privilege and respect is very strong. The death to self is the path to greater intimacy within the family of Jesus.

Control the situation

The text today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary contains the description in the Second Book of Samuel of the success of David as King as he rules the southern land of Judah and moves the capital to Jerusalem, unites the northern land of Israel and is king in control for many decades. The question of control is raised in the Gospel of Mark as the scribes attribute Jesus action against demons as being under the control of Beelzebul, a name referring to the devil. Jesus exposes the lack of logic in their accusations and continues to comment on sin against the Holy Spirit. Friar Jude Winkler paraphrases John Paul II in teaching that this sin. for which there is no forgiveness, is the sin of rejection of the mercy of God. How does this happen? The path to rejection of the invitation to be forgiven by God may start with the need to be in control. Control exercised as David did according to the will of God produces the action and effects which are Provident. Control exercised to enforce our will, against God, and often against others is tone step to being able to see our way and plan as superior to the Way of Providence and the life as disciple of the Way.

Present form of the world is passing away

The title today is from the end of the passage in the Roman Catholic Lectionary from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 7:31). The commentary from Friar Jude Winkler today points out that the reading from the Book of Jonah and the Gospel of Mark are related. Noah is bringing the news of returning to a relation with God through repentance to the people of the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, who are conquerers and oppressors of Israel. He is very reluctant to do this yet it is the will of God and it has the effect that God intended. Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee by calling fishermen to follow Him and become agents of the Good News and "fishers of men". The lives of these people changed dramatically as they responded to the call to action. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians is advising his readers to be prepared as "end time" is near evidenced by the Resurrection of  Jesus which, in Jewish tradition, was the beginning of the resurrection of the dead which preceded the final days of the world. The call to conversion is the call to change and as a consequence the present form of the world as we understand it and perhaps feel comfortable with is changing. The movement is one which exercises the gift of faith. The trust needed to move trusting in the Love inherent in the call is akin to the child hearing the parent encourage them to try the skates, skis or jump in the pool. The leap of faith which opens the new experience is based on the trust that the Love will not let me down. On to Nineveh as our world changes!

Actions in distress reveal our place

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary present events which show the witness given as people pass through distress. In the second book of Samuel, David is notified of the death of his enemy Saul and his son Jonathan, in battle. The surprising revelation is that in the midst of his deep mourning of the loss of his very dear friend, Jonathan, he is also mourning and respecting the death of his enemy, Saul, who also was called by God to serve. This perspective of being able to see in those who persecute us, even to the point of seeking our death, a person who is also a child of God, attempting to live and follow his particular call is remarkable and may lead us to question the sanity of this attitude. Jesus sanity is apparently being questioned in the short passage from Mark. Friar Jude Winkler points out that the one who the crowds perceive as the Messiah is speaking in a crazy way about losing his life to his enemies. The concern over His sanity is the outward expression perhaps of that confusion or doubt that sometimes creeps in as we strive to understand how our journey in faith moves from clarity to fogginess over our mission. The psalmist praises God for for receiving the bread of tears and the scorn of our neighbours. Jesus prays on the cross to forgive them. What wonderful insanity!

Lying down among lions

The psalmist in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today praises God for steadfast love and faithfulness as he describes his life situation as lying down among lions.
The episode of relating the tension between Saul and David in the first Book of Samuel is one where the author. according to Friar Jude Winkler is writing in the time of David that Saul is persecuting David, who is innocent and Saul repents of his trespass. David is the one who finds himself in danger from the lion Saul who seeks his life. The Gospel of Mark details the twelve apostles who are called by Jesus to be close to Him and go out to proclaim His message. The choice of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him, is bringing the lion close. This event is associated with Jesus being in prayer on the mountain as the sign of the Apostles being called according to the will of God. Our spiritual journey in response to the invitation to holiness and intimacy with the Divine may bring us to lie with the lions and we have the Way of Jesus as guide to our peace in those situations

Secrets which hold secrets

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today point to secrets that, on the surface, appear to be not so mysterious at all. The first Book of Samuel records the displeasure of Saul with the acclaim for David after the defeat of the Philistines. The jealousy of Saul is no secret and the promise to his son Jonathan that he will cease trying to harm David is not likely to be kept. The mystery in the Gospel of Mark today is the instruction of Jesus to the unclean spirits who declare Him to be "Son of God", as Friar Jude Winkler explains in the sense of being Divine, rather than the Jewish understanding, at the time, of "adopted" Son of God, great human hero, not to make Him known. Our viewpoint can cause us to miss the intention of Mark not to have the Messianic Secret revealed before Jesus is clearly going to His death in Jerusalem. This "secret" is part of the mystery of the Love which is God.

The agent as a distraction

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer a consideration of how we can focus on the human agent in events which are revealing much more about our relationship with the great questions of being. The event described in the First Book of Samuel is the triumph of David over Goliath. Our focus is on David and we draw useful motivation from the little guy defeating the giant. Our literature celebrates this notion. The text, and the historical battles with the Philistines, according to Friar Jude Winkler, do not credit David with this victory but are evidence of Providence acting with the Israelites to bring them along in their relationship with the Divine. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus is confronted five times in Galilee. In the scenario today, the a man with a withered hand is cured by Jesus on the Sabbath. The evidence of the mercy, compassion and immediate forgiveness of God for this man is over shadowed in the minds of the Pharisees by the opportunity to discredit this troublesome man Jesus by seeking allies against Him through His violation of the Law concerning the Sabbath. How well do we let our daily interactions with people, our heroes and those who vex us, reveal to us the deeply mysterious and awesome opportunity we have to live in this time and space as Providence continues to lead us home through the people we encounter.

Praising the Way we do not comprehend

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer episodes which underline the action and movement of God in people which is below the surface that we see. Our desire is too often to shape events as evidence of our understanding and knowledge of the way things are or should be. Samuel has rejected Saul as the king of Israel and he is sent by God to find the new king among the sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite. Samuel is led to choose the youngest son, David, who had been working as a shepherd of his father's flock. Friar Jude Winkler reminds us that we cannot always see the gifts that others have been given by God. We live in the mystery that we are unique creations before God and that each is differently gifted and called. The tendency to judge by appearances or as in the case of the episode from the Gospel of Mark to inflate the meaning of events to pursue our own agenda, as the Pharisees make the trivial action of Jesus disciples in the grain field into a sin against the Sabbath. The response of Jesus about the high priest Abiathar is historically inaccurate, according to Winkler. Why is Jesus apparently making a mistake? The humanity of Jesus is an area of meditation which will bring us some valuable perspective in dealing with others. Time, the Sabbath, is needed by people to be in praise and awe with the works, wonders and Presence of God.

Divine Dealing differently

The text today from the First Book of Samuel in the Roman Catholic Lectionary tells of Samuel being displeased with the actions of Saul who did not follow the instructions given him as the the will of God for his mission against the Amalekites. This passage is disturbing for the cognitive dissonance which it creates in our minds. The complete destruction of the Amalekite people an livestock seems a brutal command. Friar Jude Winkler calls us to attend to the different way in which the disobedience of Saul and the sins of David, who replaces Saul, are treated by Samuel. Friar Jude asks whether Samuel has it in for Saul? The understanding that God sees all people differently and treats each of us in ways that are different and intimate to our lives is difficult for us to accept. In the Gospel from John, the scribes and Pharisees point out different behavior from the disciples of John and Jesus disciples. Jesus reminds the inquisitors that many traditions in their culture, including death and the loss of a relationship bring them to fasting as the confirmation in practice of the feeling of loss by the person. "I don't feel like eating right now". The difficulty with difference should not be so much of a problem with the religious authorities of Jesus time or with us. They were set aside by God as a chosen, "different" people who practiced their faithfulness to God in the Law and Prophets by living differently in food, agriculture and worship than their neighbours. The followers of Jesus are also different! The Good News completes the Law and the Prophets. The life of Christ in the believer makes each a different delight to the Divine.

Ears prepared to hear

The commentary of Fr Larry Gillick SJ on the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invites us to become aware of the nature of the listening spirit within our being. We need to check our spiritual ears. Samuel is sleeping in theTemple in service of the priest Eli. He hears a voice calling and his initial responses bring him to Eli to find out what he wants. The priest helps Samuel "tune in" to the likelihood that God is called him. When so prepared with ears open, he responds as instructed "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" Father Larry suggests that we have internal tension between being biased to hear the invitations to selfless service in modeling Jesus and self serving, self destructive action serving ego and our understanding of being at the centre of the world. Friar Jude Winkler opens the texts with an explanation of the role of judge toward which Samuel is progressing. In the first letter to the Corinthians Paul is addressing the magical attitude, according to Friar Jude, that the residents of this area, and perhaps we hold today, that reciting the prayers and getting to a liturgy occasionally are living and practicing faith. The  ear that is tuned by association with those who are struggling for more will inform us of invitations to actually live lives which glorify God in the ways daily that we use our body. Our speech, body language, conversation, habits, gestures, humour and those acts which are completely self serving can celebrate the life we seek or deny it. As we struggle on to hear the invitations and to "Come and See" as the the disciples in John's Gospel show us, we may hear like Peter that we are called to a change in name and therefore in life. The word play on Peter's name suggested by Friar Jude may also be appropriate for us who can be stubborn rocks when it comes to accepting invitations to change.

The meal is an opportunity to change

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary tell of two people being invited to to respond to the call of God for greater involvement in the Divine plan to be intimate with all people. The Israelites have petitioned Samuel, the judge and seer, for a king to rule them. The authors of the text, according to Friar Jude Winkler, come from two sources in the history of Israel, one with distain for a monarchy and one with experience of the rule of David, a century later. The handsome young man Saul, is searching for lost donkeys and he encounters the seer, Samuel, who is prompted by God to anoint him as King of Israel. The impact of the call and response is revealed to Saul through interaction with Samuel at a meal. Mark tells of Jesus invitation to Levi (Matthew) to follow him. This must have been a shocking invitation. Levi was a tax collector and considered unclean and dishonest by the scribes and Pharisees. The dinner at Levi's house was attended by the marginalized sinners who were seated at a meal through which they are made aware of the opportunity for healing and mercy to change their direction to being intimate with God and share in His plan for the healing of all. Our understanding of the Eucharistic Meal is that encounter with Jesus who continues to welcome, heal and invite to action. Those aware of their need for healing are deeply thankful for this ongoing experience of welcome to the intimate love of God. We can see it in their face!

Our choice for better or worse

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today shed light on one of the the greatest dilemmas of guiding people for their own best development. The text from First Samuel recounts the desire of the Israelites to have a king and be ruled as a monarchy after Samuel finished his time as judge, a position explained by Friar Jude Winkler as a temporary dictator. Samuel does not think this is best for the people and in spite of seeking counsel from God in prayer and becoming aware of the danger of the people replacing God as the direction in their lives with the king, Samuel is instructed in prayer to let them have their choice. When we make the decision with the people for whom we have some ability to direct that they may do what they choose, we hope that our analysis of the drawbacks of that choice may be faulty or that they will "beat the odds" and not suffer trouble or that the lesson they will probably learn about bad choices will be worth the difficulty they are likely to endure. The Gospel of Mark shows Jesus action to address the desire of those for the physical healing of their friend, the paralytic. Jesus, however, is aware that some spiritual burdens should be addressed and that the spiritual health of reconciliation with God is the preferred choice for people. The faith in God in the gathered assembly is acknowledged and from that trust in God Jesus proclaims the forgiveness needed. The precious gift of mercy and intimate relationship with God is offered. The rejection of this choice by the scribes, is countered by Jesus by underlining the encounter they are living is with the Transcendent One and he signs the Presence by directing the paralytic to choose to live in a new relationship with God both spiritually and physically healed. The amazement of the doubters and cynics is the prompt from the Spirit for them to reconsider their initial choice.

People want power

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today presents texts which illustrate decisions we make based on our understanding of the will of God which may be based more on our needs and plan than the path which Divine guidance would have chosen. The corrupt sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, are priests of Israel. In battle with their neighbours, the Philistines, who according to Friar Jude Winkler, possessed superior military power, they decide tp bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield. The text records that the initial effect of this on the Philistines was to remind them that the Israelites had escaped Egypt through the intervention of their God and the Philistines  became afraid. They resolved to take courage and fight. The fight resulted in the death of Hophni and Phinehas and the loss of the Covenant, the sign to Israel that God was with them. The Gospel of Mark tells of another decision in which the Nature of the Divine is misunderstood by people. Jesus chooses to be in physical contact with the outcast unclean leper to show the love, mercy and healing of God knows no boundary of uncleanliness or unworthiness. Those rejected are welcomed. The decision of the leper to break the "Messianic secret" and tell all of his healing risked misunderstanding in the people that Jesus was the King, like David, who would defeat the political enemies of Israel and restore the power to them from Roman occupation. 

Called to our name

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today prompt reflection on the nature of being called to serve God. Samuel hears a voice calling his name. He is apparently not completely tutored in the ways to expect God to interact with people. Of course, many have testified that the interaction with the Divine comes in the way we least expect. Samuel  accepted the advice of Eli and responded to the invitation of the Lord with a yes. In this way he discovered the "name" or role he was to play in the plan of God. This brought him peace. Mark tells us that Jesus is moving throughout the towns and synagogues inviting people to accept the invitation from God which He is bringing to life to escape from illness and oppression by evil spirits. The connection to the love of the Divine is loud and clear in the actions of freedom and reconciliation. It is also experienced in the quiet still moments of personal connection where we listen and hear our name.
 

Direct dealing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary as the Church returns to marking time in sequence, one week after the other using ordinal numbers (1,2,3, etc), Ordinary Time, tell us of direct dealing with God and Divine response which immediately fulfills the request. The   sorrow of Hannah who was barren and unable to give birth to the heir is the situation that brings her to the Temple to pray for relief from the derision she experiences. The sincerity of her appeal to God is at first mistaken as drunkenness perhaps because of the surrender of the control of the situation to the encounter she is having with the Spirit. The certainty of Eli, the priest that she could go in peace with her prayers answered is in contrast to the the apparent lack of authority about the action of God presented by the scribes in the synagogue at Capernaum in the passage from the Gospel of Mark. Our relationship with Jesus calls us to be as assertive as He is in coming to the action of confronting evil and delivering our brothers and sisters from oppression and rejection of others.

Restate the promise to bring life

The feast celebrated today by the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, the Baptism of the Lord, marks the end of the liturgical season of Christmas. The liturgy returns to the promise of the Advent season from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The Lord God delights in His people. His plan as proclaimed by Isaiah goes out as word to the nations of the world and it will not return empty but will accomplish the purpose of God. Isaiah reminds us that the thoughts and ways of God are not our thoughts and ways. We wonder about the condition required to participate in a relationship of joy and fulfillment with the Divine in which God is Immanuel, God with us, and as the words of the canticle psalm declare "I will trust and will not be afraid for the Lord God is my strength and my might". The Gospel of Mark underlines the unexpectedness of the thought and action of God and the desire of God to be intimately involved in the searching and thirsting of humanity for unity and reconciliation with God. The one who is without sin, as the Voice proclaims, the Son, the Beloved is presented and given to humanity as one also baptized by John, a brother in our lives and this is witnessed by the Spirit of Love between Father and Son and in resonance with the indwelling Spirit of John the Baptist, the witnesses at the Jordan and our being as we live with and in the Incarnate. The cost? Returning to Isaiah, it is our free choice to join the ranks of those seeking greater intimacy with God. We only need to arouse that Spirit within and "do whatever He tells you".

Epiphany continues

The Lectionary of the Roman Catholic Church presents texts to celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The message that God is bringing all nations to the light of the glory of intimate relationship which is the experience and promise to Israel, is proclaimed by Isaiah. The psalmist praises God for attracting the kings and leaders of the world kingdoms and tribes to a relationship with Him which will deliver the needy, the poor and the weak from their distress. Paul proclaims to the Ephesians and us that the Gentiles (all non-Jews) are fellow heirs to the promise of God is with us intimacy in Jesus Body. Fr Larry Gillick, SJ, comments that the Gospel of Matthew, written, according to Friar Jude Winkler, for the Jewish converts in Jerusalem, instructs us that the things of value which we believe are appropriate and proper agents of our spiritual searching are left "at the house" and the wise will return by a different route. Certainly, the continued blindness of the "spiritual" communities of the world who advocate 'my way is superior to your way' and who oppress and persecute the needy, poor and weak in their search for the God who follows their rules and who allows them to define their gifts are not witnesses to the Epiphany in which we are found by the Divine and sent to be the light of love, compassion and inclusion to all tribes and traditions. In our inspiration dream, the resonance of our indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of God, let us see the path which is the other road upon which we can be the Good News for all.

Wedding to conquer sin with Love

In last phrase of the passage from the first letter of John from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, the memorial of Saint Andre Bessette, we are exhorted, as children of God, to keep ourselves from idols. The passage provides some advice according to Friar Jude Winkler, for a Jewish audience on the approach of the faithful to sinners, particularly  serious sinners. A recent sociological study out of the UK finds that selfishness is very much on the rise in that country. The idol which is ourselves is being served in selfish living. The saintly characteristic of "Brother Andre" was his ability to see beyond his own humble circumstances and disappointments with real empathy and action for the poor and those in need of healing who came to seek help. The over generous giving of self is the theme of the the episode from the Gospel of John where the Mother of Jesus,  a symbolic Johnian reference, according to Friar Jude, is presenting the glory of Jesus presentation on the cross of the extreme nature of the love of the Father, by pouring out more and greater love to people in need. 

Present to make it happen

The Collect in the Liturgy of today, which uses the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, prays that God will cast light upon the faithful so that they would not cease to acknowledge their Saviour and truly hold fast to Him. Friar Jude Winkler tells us that the passage from the first letter of John needs to be considered in the light of the Gnostic heresy which John was combatting. The Gnostic philosophers could not accept the Divinity of Jesus. The gift of love which John encourages the followers of Jesus to practice is the witness to the life of the Spirit in the believers who are the Body of Christ. The demands on the Lover require a Divine Transcendent Presence. Those who believe in Jesus, Son of God, are empowered by this belief to practice the healing and forgiveness of Jesus in the world. This healing, compassion, inclusion, empathy and self-giving is often beyond what the humanistic philosophies of sharing expect people to do. John tells us we are children of God now and in that status is the power to overcome through the resonance of our indwelling Spirit, in the Body of Christ, with the Spirit which is the eternally existing Love between Father and Son. John the Baptist is aware of the need for mercy, forgiveness, empathy, compassion and loving action in the world. He is also alert to the need for those who forgive and give mercy to  receive mercy and forgiveness themselves. When this forgiveness is sought from God, the Spirit responds and brings the Love which is the fuel for the children of God to live as active members of the Body of Christ. The Gospel of Mark proclaims the pleasure of the Father in the action of the Son to bring the Love (symbolized by the Dove) to the children of God. (all people). The Communion of Saints as affirmed in the Christian Creed links the Body of Christ in time and space with those who have transitioned to the Eternity beyond the limits of time and space.

Development of active and truthful love

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are both challenging and reassuring. The first letter of John creates a strong description of those who are not abiding in the love of Jesus. They are murderers like Cain who are abiding in death. John declares that those who are children of God live in active and truthful love of God and others. The Gospel passage from John, according to Friar Jude Winkler, is a dialogue with Jesus about Nathanael who is revealed as being a scholar of the Law, under the fig tree, who is seeking truth in understanding the relationship of Jesus to the religious tradition. Nathanael allows his understanding of Nazareth as a dirt poor, near pagan place, which is in Galilee, not Judah, the traditional origin for the Messiah, to be set aside as he accepts Philip's invitation to 'Come and see'. Jesus connects with Nathanael's indwelling Spirit of truth and open desire to develop his understanding by referring to him as an Israelite, one who is in the line of Israel, the reformed name of Jacob. Jesus is reassuring Nathanael and us that the path to the active and truthful love to which the letter of John aspires is through an openness to 'come and see' knowing that the proclamation of the psalmist of the steadfast love and faithfulness of God is an eternal truth.

Come and see

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today appear to set two different backgrounds for the believer to follow Christ. The first letter of John has a dualistic tone. We are told that those who do right are righteous and those who do wrong are children of the devil. The experience we have is that those trying to journey toward holiness and wholeness are also burdened with addictive sin which diverts our journey. When the compass on the journey points toward a deeper relationship with Jesus we are acting as children of God. Conversely, when the compass points away from the path on which Jesus is walking, we are children of the devil. The Gospel of John captures the interest of the disciples of John the Baptist in actually traveling to where Jesus lives. He invites them and us to "come and see". Our movement in that direction will be life changing as we read Jesus changing the name (and essence? direction?) of Simon to Cephas (Peter). Change is the dynamic which is overlooked when we restrict our thinking to dualistic comparisons. We are gifted with the free will to change, move and follow.

What an invitation to be free

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today originate in the work of John the Evangelist of the fourth Gospel. In the passage from the first letter of John we are presented with the position given us and desired for us by the Divine, that of "children of God". This intimacy begins now as we accept it. The conflict of this relationship with sin is declared. As we move toward greater intimacy with God we seek the ongoing assistance to be righteous like Jesus. The desire to be His follower is not widely appreciated in the world.  Our journey to be with Him will be a sign to the world of the invitation to peace and joy through life in the Body of Christ. John points to greater growth in our relationship with God as we become more like Jesus. The Gospel of John continues the proclamation of John the Baptist about the nature of Jesus. The Baptist understands that Jesus will fulfill the Messiah descriptions of Isaiah and be Servant and Lamb of God. The unity of Jesus with the Spirit of God is proclaimed to underline the Divinity of Jesus who is God and is existing with Father and Spirit from the beginning. 

Want it Your Way?

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today illustrate the struggle we have when we attempt to deal with revelation that does not quite fit with our need to understand, be in control or deal with cognitive dissonance. The first letter of John, according to Friar Jude Winkler, deals with the Gnostic heresy which held to the Greek thought that God is Divine and separate from human experience. John reinforces the Christian message that Jesus, fully human, is the Christ, the Divine, the Son of the Father. The resolution of our need to control is to be open to the guidance of the Spirit which we experience as we abide in Jesus. The mystery of the action of love and mercy that we witness opens up more possibilities for life and understanding than we initially considered. The representatives of the Jews and Pharisees who come to John the Baptist are trying to fit him into a mold that they understand. Elijah came to Israel in the past with direction from God. Perhaps we can understand John the Baptist as Elijah. We have some expectations and ideas of the Messiah. We could work with John as Messiah. The openness that John requests to see him as herald of the greater "bride of Israel" is very disconcerting when we need so much to know the plan.

How to mark this day

The Roman Catholic Lectionary describes today as "The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God ". We also universally mark the change from 2011 CE to 2012 CE. People use this transition to a new year to remember 2011, give thanks and seek better for 2012 through resolutions to change. The text from the Book of Numbers starts our "new year" with the ancient blessing on the Israelites from God through Aaron. The intimacy of knowing God "face to face", which in the Hebrew understanding is to risk annihilation in the Presence, is the relationship of Moses and through this blessed position one knows peace and is given the opportunity to live in the name or the essence of God. The Nativity we continue to celebrate today is the blessing of the relationship described by Paul to the Galatians as that of "children of God". The intimacy desired by God with us is that experienced when the indwelling Spirit calls out in resonance with the Spirit of God "Abba", the name which is heard as "Daddy" from the children who delight us in this Christmas season. The Word is made flesh in history through the "Yes" of the woman ( at age 13 or 14?) who as Paul describes and the Gospel of Luke confirms is observant of the Law of Moses and who in the face to face relationship of mother to son calls him Jesus, "Yahweh saves", as instructed. The first people to witness and proclaim this great blessing of children and heir intimacy with God are the marginalized, excluded and unclean of the time, shepherds who lived with animals and worked unseen by the mainline society. Our plans for 2012 include an invitation to seek greater intimacy with God through life in which we encounter Jesus in those who have witnessed His Love and Mercy as modern day "shepherds".