Discerning For and Against

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today warn against presumption and rejecting others who do good to help those in need.

Good works for others

The Letter of James reminds us that life is unpredictable and counsels us to accept the will of God for the future.

* [4:13–17] The uncertainty of life (Jas 4:14), its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will (Jas 4:15) all help one know and do what is right (Jas 4:17). To disregard this is to live in pride and arrogance (Jas 4:16); failure to do what is right is a sin (Jas 4:17).

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus corrects His disciples who want to reject those not in the group who do good in Jesus Name.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded.

Ibrahim Al-Ammar explains the Arabic “Insha Allah”, that resonates with the teaching of James.

we are taught by Islam not to make definitive statements about the future, since only God knows what will happen. This means that if someone asked me to provide him with something, instead of “I will give it to you today” I should say: “I will give it to you today, Insha Allah.”

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979), an American theologian and bishop, taught we must be tolerant to persons because they are human and we must be intolerant about principles because they are divine.

The doctor must be intolerant about disease in his patients, and the professor must be intolerant about error in his pupils. So, too, the Church, founded on the Intolerance of Divinity, must be equally intolerant about the truths commissioned to her. There are to be no one-fisted battles, no half-drawn swords, no divided loves, no equalizing Christ and Buddha in a broad sweep of sophomoric tolerance or broad-mindedness, for as Our Blessed Lord has put it: "He that is not with Me is against Me"... (Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23 )

Don Schwager quotes Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D. on encouraging good works done in Christ.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from  LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)

The Word Among Us meditation on James 4:13-17, recalls an expression that goes back to the primitive Church, that many Arab Christians end their conversations with “if God wills.”

Worrying about the future is neither helpful nor necessary. It drains our faith and saps us of our energy. God wants us to place our hope in him and in his plans for us. He wants us to be free to serve him. So don’t let the cares of this world make you afraid. Don’t let your worries convince you that you have to overcome every obstacle on your own. Instead, keep following the Lord, and leave the future to him. Try your best to let go of worry so that you can live in the light of his promises.

Friar Jude Winkler mentions the resonance between the Letter of James and the Muslim idea contained in “Insha Allah”. We see a mistaken interpretation of Jesus Kingdom by the disciples in the Gospel today. They want monopoly over the power and are not concerned with the one needing service.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes a poem cited by Barbara A. Holmes, in her book, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. A verse of this poem speaks to particularly to Canadians us of our responsibility to those escaping persecution regardless of who helps them or what group they belong to.

Joy Unspeakable is humming
“how I got over”
after swimming safely
to the other shore of a swollen Ohio river
when you know that you can’t swim.
It is the blessed assurance
that Canada is far,
but not that far.

We seek to discern God’s will as we struggle with the chaos of our time.

References


(n.d.). James, chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/james4:21

(n.d.). Mark, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/9

(2015, March 9). 'Insha Allah' — please don't fear this phrase! | Arab News. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.arabnews.com/columns/news/715716

(n.d.). Love and Truth: A Plea for Intolerance - Living Bulwark. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/august2015p8.htm

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings .... Retrieved May 23, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from https://cac.org/richard-rohr/daily-meditations/daily-meditations-archive/