Consecrated seeking Justice

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer contemplation through Scriptures and the Wisdom of Tradition on our role as servants of God who seek to discern our role in following Jesus in society today.

We hope that all Catholics will follow the lead of the pope, find their voice, speak out against the prospect of mass deportation" https://t.co/gkm6Aswr0r

— Jesuit Justice (@JesuitJustice) January 12, 2018

The messianic earthly ruler foreseen by the Prophet Malachi is associated with Divine Presence through the expectation of the return of Elijah and the preaching of John the Baptist who proclaims Jesus Divinity.

* [3:1] My messenger…before me: Mt 11:10 applies these words to John the Baptist; Mt 11:14 further identifies John as Elijah (see Mal 3:23). Some take God’s messenger in v. 1a to be a person distinct from “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” in v. 1b; others hold that they are one and the same person. Some consider “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” to be divine, while others hold that in the text’s literal sense he is a messianic earthly ruler.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews develops the theme that God consecrates Jesus as our High Priest through suffering.

The author considers all things as already subject to him because of his exaltation (Heb 2:8–9), though we do not see this yet. The reference to Jesus as leader (Heb 2:10) sounds the first note of an important leitmotif in Hebrews: the journey of the people of God to the sabbath rest (Heb 4:9), the heavenly sanctuary, following Jesus, their “forerunner” (Heb 6:20). It was fitting that God should make him perfect through suffering, consecrated by obedient suffering. Because he is perfected as high priest, Jesus is then able to consecrate his people (Heb 2:11); access to God is made possible by each of these two consecrations.

The Gospel of Luke depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord, and sets the struggle of Mary with the sword of discernment before us.

* [2:22–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk 2:23–24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses. In this respect, they are described in a fashion similar to the parents of John (Lk 1:6) and Simeon (Lk 2:25) and Anna (Lk 2:36–37).

Dennis Hamm, S.J. finds wonderful Divine irony in the Gospel account from Luke as he introduces our role resulting from the proclamation of Simeon.

Then, in words echoing the prophet Isaiah (Isa 40:5; 42:6; 49:6; 46:13), he describes Jesus as the suffering Servant Israel, who will be salvation in person, the glory of his people Israel and “a light for revelation to the gentiles.” There, of course, is where we come in. We are included among those gentiles. Israel’s mission becomes Jesus’ mission. And those of us who claim Servant Jesus, as our risen Lord, take that mission as our own as well. You might say that this is Luke’s epiphany narrative. Our prayer these days can well be, “Teach us, Lord, to so deeply receive Jesus as our light that we become light to those around us.

Don Schwager quotes Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD) writing about how Christ who was rich became poor.

"For this reason it seems wonderful that the sacrifice of Mary was not the first offering, that is, 'a lamb a year old,' but the second, since 'she could not afford' (Leviticus 5:7) the first. For as it was written about her, Jesus' parents came 'to offer a sacrifice' for him,'according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."' But this also shows the truth of what was written, that Jesus Christ 'although he was rich, became a poor man' (2 Corinthians 8:9). Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah' (Micah 5:2), and the rest. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 8.4.3)

Friar Jude Winkler connects the Stoic philosophy of Luke to the plan for the world unveiled through the Jewish people. The sword of discernment through the heart, where in Jesus time thoughts were processed, cut to the quick of a big leap to Jesus as Son of God for a Jewish girl who prayed the Shema.

Fr. Stephen B. Reynolds, Pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land, Texas, is concerned that if our society remains on its present course, we may be required to give a defense of our faith that could lead to impoverishment, imprisonment, suffering and even death.

In the days and years ahead, if our society remains on its present course, we may be required to give a defense of our faith that could lead to impoverishment, imprisonment, suffering and even death. At the time of the presentation of the Lord in the Temple, Mary was told, "a sword will pierce through your own soul also" (Luke 2:35).  This references Mary's participation in her Son's passion, and also her role as the first disciple, who teaches us how to follow the Lord.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares a call for action associated with the Beatitude “Blessed Are Those Who Hunger for Justice” This action is surely both spiritual and social as Rohr quotes John Dear on Righteousness.

Righteousness is not just the private practice of doing good; it sums up the global responsibility of the human community to make sure every human being has what they need, that everyone pursues a fair sense of justice for every other human being, and that everyone lives in right relationship with one another, creation, and God.

The prophetic vision of Simeon concerning the mission of Jesus reminds us to seek discernment of our role as visible agents of the transformation in society that Jesus initiates.

References

(n.d.). Malachi, chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3

(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/2

(n.d.). Luke, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/2

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 2, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 2, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2013, July 16). MONDAY HOMILY: The Sword of Discernment - Year of Faith - Homily .... Retrieved February 2, 2018, from http://www.catholic.org/homily/yearoffaith/story.php?id=51701

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 2, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/