False dichotomies challenge chances for life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer an opportunity to contemplate the tension between our trust in love or power to meet our needs.

Healing divisions

The Prophet Hosea sees the parallel between his relationship with his unfaithful wife Gomer and the Covenant of God and Israel.

* [2:16] Therefore: this word in Hebrew normally introduces an oracle of doom; here, surprisingly, it leads to hope. Allure: as though seducing a virgin (Ex 22:15–16). Ordinarily this word connotes deception (Jgs 14:15; 16:5; 1 Kgs 22:20–22).

The woman who suffered with a hemorrhage for years is saved by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and the daughter of a synagogue official is healed by reanimation.

* [9:18–34] In this third group of miracles, the first (Mt 9:18–26) is clearly dependent on Mark (Mk 5:21–43). Though it tells of two miracles, the cure of the woman had already been included within the story of the raising of the official’s daughter, so that the two were probably regarded as a single unit. The other miracles seem to have been derived from Mark and Q, respectively, though there Matthew’s own editing is much more evident.

Jeanne Schuler comments that the tension that pits science against religion displays faulty thinking.

An “enlightened” society that disdains God is impoverished.  We do not learn how to love from laws or psych theories. We do not learn the origin of life from the Book of Genesis.  Both science and religion are ways of knowing. Both involve faith. Without trust, no human endeavors move forward. The more we understand the world, the greater God’s glory appears.

Don Schwager quotes John Chrysostom (347-407 AD) in a sermon on “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

"So what did Messiah do? He did not let her go unnoticed but led her into the center of attention and made her visible. He had many reasons for doing this. Some might imagine that 'he did this merely for love of glory - otherwise why would he not allow her to remain concealed?' But what are they proposing who might say this? That he should keep her silent, that he should ignore her need, and thereby pass up miracles too numerous to mention, all because he is in love with glory? What an unholy thought, inspired by the most unholy one of all."
"What then is his intention in bringing her forward? First, Jesus puts an end to her fear. He does not want her to remain trapped in dread. He gives no cause for her conscience to be harmed, as if she had stolen the gift. Second, he corrects her assumption that she has no right to be seen. Third, he makes her faith an exhibit to all. He encourages the others to emulate her faith. Fourth, his subduing the fountains of her hemorrhage was another sign of his knowledge of all things. And finally, do you remember the ruler of the synagogue? He was at the point of despair, of utter ruin. Jesus is indirectly admonishing him by what he says to the woman." (excerpt from the  THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 31.2)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22 underlines one of Hosea’s most important messages that God, our divine spouse, is always taking the initiative.

God wants to coax you today. He wants you to come away with him to a place free of distractions. Let him speak to your heart. Let him convince you of his faithfulness and his love. If you feel that your failures are too great, don’t let that stop you from joining him.

Friar Jude Winkler compares Hosea and Gomer, who was unfaithful, being lured into the desert to a second honeymoon between God and Israel. Jesus recognizes faith by a saving action for the whole person, rather than just healing the body, Friar Jude observes.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, asserts that as humans we can’t help but be political whether we recognize it or not—so let’s learn how to participate in the public forum as God’s image and likeness!

Over the years, I’ve met many social activists who were advocating for crucial justice issues, but they were still largely living out of their false self with the need to win and look good—and defeat “the enemy.” They might have the answer, but they are not themselves the answer. In fact, they are part of the problem because they still trust in power over love.

The tendency to separate faith and action, science and religion, and politics and human interaction are false dichotomies that tend to obstruct our openness to full life in relationship with Christ.

References


(n.d.). Hosea, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 9, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hosea/2

(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 9, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew9:47

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 9, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 9, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/ 

(n.d.). 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 9, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 9, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/