Stumbling, foolish and unprepared

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer contemplation by concentrating on

Searching the paradox

one verse from the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1.23) on the paradox of the Cross

* [1:21–25] True wisdom and power are to be found paradoxically where one would least expect them, in the place of their apparent negation. To human eyes the crucified Christ symbolizes impotence and absurdity.

and one verse from the Gospel of Matthew from the (Matthew 25.13) from the The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

* [25:13] Stay awake: some scholars see this command as an addition to the original parable of Matthew’s traditional material, since in Mt 25:5 all the virgins, wise and foolish, fall asleep. But the wise virgins are adequately equipped for their task, and stay awake may mean no more than to be prepared; cf. Mt 24:42, 44.

Diane Jorgensen shares that one cannot come to know God through signs and wonders or scholarly knowledge, but only through Christ and the gift of faith. It is only through the eyes and ears of faith that we can enter into this mystery.

This kind of trust is foolish to those who want guarantees and proof, but wisdom to those who have chosen to accept the grace of faith. The mystery we call God is beyond anything we can know or understand, but we can choose to trust that God is present and active in our world - especially through us - and be attentive and ready to respond. The message of Christ crucified is all we need- why shouldn’t we live as if we trusted in God?

Don Schwager quotes “The Kingdom of God compared with ten maidens”, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).

"The whole story is about the great day of the Lord, when those things concealed from the human mind will be revealed through our understanding of divine judgment. Then the faith true to the Lord's coming will win the just reward for unwavering hope. For in the five wise and five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:2), a complete separation between the faithful and unfaithful is established... The wise virgins are those who, embracing the time available to them, were prepared at the first onset of the coming of the Lord. But the foolish were those who were lax and unmindful. They troubled themselves only over present matters and, forgetting what God said, did not direct their efforts toward hope for resurrection." (excerpt from the commentary ON MATTHEW 27.3,5)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 25:1-13 observes that we might shy away from the message of the Gospel for fear we might be found among the foolish. But even if Jesus strong language makes us nervous, remember that Jesus wants us to be ready to greet him when he returns. So let’s turn to Jesus, our bridegroom, and pray.

“Lord, you know how hard it can be for me to wait. I know I should be watching for your return, but it seems so far off. People that I love are suffering, and I am still waiting for an answer to my prayers. People that I love have died, and I miss them—I want to see them again. And there is so much that I don’t understand about the world. I know that, one day, you will heal every wound and wipe away every tear. I know that there will be no more sickness, no more suffering. But while I wait for that day, I need to know your closeness. Will you wait with me, Lord? Fill me, Lord, with your hope and patience.

Friar Jude Winkler provides background to the stumbling block of the Jews and the foolishness in the minds of the Greeks. Prepare for Jesus return by the practice of nothing left unsaid nothing left undone. Friar Jude comments on the apparent selfishness of the wise virgins in the parable.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Rabbi Rami Shapiro to explore Hasidism, a grassroots movement of joyful love and service that appealed to ordinary people, not only to a scholarly elite.

The Besht believed that God was everywhere and could be found by anyone whose heart was open, simple, and pure. At a time when Judaism was focused on a scholar elite, he reached out to the masses with a Judaism rich in compassion, devotion, and hope. His inner circle of disciples took his teachings out into the larger world, creating a global movement that continues to this day.

Our human expectations for our encounter with God are usually too connected to our sense of wisdom and control. We prepare with joyful love and selfless service for opportunities for intimacy with God.

References

(n.d.). 1 Corinthians chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 31, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians1:33
(n.d.). Matthew chapter 25 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 31, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25
(n.d.). Online Ministries Home Page - Creighton University. Retrieved August 31, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/preparing.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 31, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). 21st Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved August 31, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 31, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Prepared to persevere

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that the intimate Presence of Jesus is our guide to perseverance as faithful disciples.

Persevere in the Mystery

The Letter of Paul to the Corinthians declares that their relationship in Christ will bring them strength to persevere to the end.

* [1:1] Called…by the will of God: Paul’s mission and the church’s existence are grounded in God’s initiative. God’s call, grace, and fidelity are central ideas in this introduction, emphasized by repetition and wordplays in the Greek.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus contrasts the actions of those who expectantly await deeper intimacy with Him and those who put their own desires ahead of communion with Him.

* [24:45–51] The second part of the discourse (see note on Mt 24:1–25:46) begins with this parable of the faithful or unfaithful servant; cf. Lk 12:41–46. It is addressed to the leaders of Matthew’s church; the servant has been put in charge of his master’s household (Mt 24:45) even though that household is composed of those who are his fellow servants (Mt 24:49).

Eileen Wirth has trouble relating to the tone of today’s gospel because it stresses fear of the master rather than love for the master.

Jesus loves us. He’s not playing gotcha with us. He knows we’ll mess up from time to time but he’ll always take us back.
So welcome Jesus into your home. Say good morning to him and talk to him as you go about your mundane life. Don’t worry about what he would find on a surprise visit because loves you as you are.

Don Schwager quotes “You do not know the day,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"But his meaning is like this: If ordinary persons knew when they were going to die, they would surely be striving earnestly at that hour. In order therefore that they may strive, not at that hour only, he does not tell them the hour or day. He wants to keep them on their toes looking for it, that they may be always striving. This is why he made the end of each person’s life so uncertain. In this passage he openly implies that he himself is Lord. Nowhere before has he spoken of this so distinctly. But here he seems to me also to be putting to shame those who remain careless about his lordship. They take much more care about a thief taking their money than about their own soul. Those who care about their house and do not want their possessions stolen take measures against the thief. They watch; they are prepared for the thief. So it is with you. You do not know when he will come. But you know assuredly that he will come. If you do not continue to watch, you will not be ready on that day. You will be unprepared. Destruction will come in your sleep. If the person had known when the thief was coming, he would have been prepared. So be like the one who is prepared at all times, so you will escape free. Having then mentioned the judgment, he directs his thoughts next to teachers, speaking of honorable and dishonorable actions. His discourse closes with that which is alarming, for he speaks first of those who do right, then of those who continue in sin." (excerpt from the  THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 77.2-3)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 notes that Paul used prepositions again and again to describe how we relate to Christ.

Consider “in Christ,” for example. You could say that it means your life has been completely taken up into Christ’s life. In Christ your old self died. In Christ you were raised up and made into a new creation. In Christ you are loved as a son or daughter of God.
That’s not all. Because Christ lives in you, he is with you always. Wherever you go, you bring Christ with you. Like Mary, you bear him to the world.

Friar Jude Winkler outlines how the Corinthian letters of Paul were addressing a difficult community. Waiting for the end of the world is a time to dedicate ourselves to the work of the Lord. Friar Jude underlines the theme in Matthew's Gospel of recompense for those who reject Jesus Way.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, resonates with the theme of evolution in faith as he quotes Rabbi Rami Shapiro and describes a state to which we are invited to evolve with Christ.

Finally, we make the breakthrough to seeing that God’s grace and love is present within us, through us, with us, and even as us! We wake up to who we truly are: the image and likeness of God. The mystery of incarnation has come full circle. We can now enjoy God’s temple within our own body as the Apostle Paul teaches (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and throughout), and we can love ourselves, others, and God by the one same flow. It is all one stream of Love! We fully realize that it is God who is doing the loving, and we surrender ourselves to being channels and instruments of that Divine Flow in the world. We do not initiate the process; we only continue it.

We encounter the challenge of being open to change as we persevere in our spiritual journey to animate the Life of Christ that dwells within.

References

(n.d.). 1 Corinthians chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians1:33
(n.d.). Matthew chapter 24 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/24
(n.d.). Online Ministries Home Page - Creighton University. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/preparing.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). The Passion of Saint John the Baptist (Memorial) - Mass Readings .... Retrieved August 30, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Following the false self

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to rely on the Holy Spirit as we interpret events and form responses that are consistent with Divine Mercy.

Truth in our path

The CCCB chooses the text from Jeremiah that urges the young prophet to rely on the strength of God in his mission to the people of Israel.

In the Gospel from Mark, King Herod orders the beheading of John the Baptist as a consequence of his need to save face.

* [6:17–29] Similarities are to be noted between Mark’s account of the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist in this pericope, and that of the passion of Jesus (Mk 15:1–47). Herod and Pilate, each in turn, acknowledges the holiness of life of one over whom he unjustly exercises the power of condemnation and death (Mk 6:26–27; 15:9–10, 14–15). The hatred of Herodias toward John parallels that of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus. After the deaths of John and of Jesus, well-disposed persons request the bodies of the victims of Herod and of Pilate in turn to give them respectful burial (Mk 6:29; 15:45–46).

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia quotes from Ragamuffin Reflections by Brennan who expands the call to Jeremiah to preach God’s Word to his fellow Israelites.

The call is beyond you
So God makes you more than you
Steadfast
Enduring
Rock and Refuge
Living Stone
Rejected in the Redeeming
Like your Christ
Your Jesus
They will fight
But the battle is the Lord’s

Fred Hanna reflects on an unfortunate situation of his son backing himself into a corner, and prays that he would be confident in the Lord and rely on wisdom and truth.

This is what Herod encountered with John the Baptist in today’s Gospel reading.  Herod didn’t want John the Baptist killed, but his pride got in the way after he promised Herodias’ daughter anything she wanted.  Sadly, Herod felt he had nowhere else to turn and had John the Baptist beheaded.

Don Schwager quotes John Chrysostom (347-407 AD) on the the weakness of the tyrant compared to the power of the one in prison.

"Note well the weakness of the tyrant compared to the power of the one in prison. Herod was not strong enough to silence his own tongue. Having opened it, he opened up countless other mouths in its place and with its help. As for John, he immediately inspired fear in Herod after his murder - for fear was disturbing Herod's conscience to such an extent that he believed John had been raised from the dead and was performing miracles (Mark 6:14-16)! In our own day and through all future time, throughout all the world, John continues to refute Herod, both through himself and through others. For each person repeatedly reading this Gospel says: 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of Philip your brother' (Mark 6:18). And even apart from reading the Gospel, in assemblies and meetings at home or in the market, in every place... even to the very ends of the earth, you will hear this voice and see that righteous man even now still crying out, resounding loudly, reproving the evil of the tyrant. He will never be silenced nor the reproof at all weakened by the passing of time." (excerpt from ON THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD 22.8-9)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 6:17-29 comments on how it is likely that Salome was just a pawn in the hands of her manipulative mother and our need to act against such abuse.

But nobody is really helpless when it comes to overcoming injustice. You certainly can reach beyond the walls of your home. Whether it’s through financial support or by volunteering at a local agency or by committing every day to pray against these evils, you can make a difference. You don’t have to follow the path of John the Baptist and become a martyr in the cause of social justice. You just have to take one small but courageous step, and you’ll help bring God’s salvation and justice to the people who are hurting today.
“Jesus, open my heart to the cries of the poor and abused. Show me how I can help them today.

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Herod was fascinated by the preaching of John the Baptist and by the dancing of Salome. We need to be aware of foolish promises that might hurt others and not resist being humbled to prevent harm to others. Friar Jude comments on the relics of St.John the Baptist in many Christian churches.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Rabbi Rami Shapiro as he reflects that the biblical tradition reveals that whenever the prophetic gift is lacking in any group or religion, such a group will very soon be self-serving, self-perpetuating, and self-promoting. Without prophetic criticism, all sense of mission and message is lost.

The tendency in religion to “absolutize” things comes from a deep psychological need for some solid ground to stand on, and I understand that. But the prophets keep saying, “God is the only absolute!” Don’t make the fingers pointing to the moon into the moon itself, as it were. Jeremiah said, “The temple, the temple, the temple of YHWH! Don’t you recognize it has become a robber’s den?” (7:1-11). Jesus quotes this very message (Mark 11:17). But, of course he was talking about Jerusalem, and surely not our parish church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Santiago, Chile, or the Vatican in Rome.

Father Richard offers a concluding thought that our spiritual journey moves us from recognizing that our group is God’s “chosen people,” even in our imperfection, to knowing that all people are made in God’s image and are equally imperfect in that reflection. Imperfection is the pattern that draws forth the Divine Mercy.

References

(2018, February 17). Take a Stand, inspired by Jeremiah 1.17-19 | Turning the Word. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://revlisad.com/2018/02/17/take-a-stand-inspired-by-jeremiah-1-17-19/

(n.d.). Mark chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/6

(n.d.). Creighton's Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/

(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Half truth plunder and self indulgence

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to turn to the sole fount of true wisdom in our relationship with Jesus.

Rebuilding truth

The Second Letter to the Thessalonians warns the community to recall their tradition in the face of half true proclamations by false prophets.

* [2:1–17] The Thessalonians have been shaken by a message purporting to come from Paul himself that the day of the Lord is already present. He warns against this deception in eschatology by citing a scenario of events that must first occur (2 Thes 2:3–12) before the end will come. The overall point Paul makes is the need to reject such lies as Satan sends; he also reaffirms the Thessalonians in their calling (2 Thes 2:13–14).

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus points to the shallow practices of the Scribes and Pharisees that focus on surface religiosity and fail to treat others with love, mercy and compassion.

* [23:25–26] The ritual washing of utensils for dining (cf. Mk 7:4) is turned into a metaphor illustrating a concern for appearances while inner purity is ignored. The scribes and Pharisees are compared to cups carefully washed on the outside but filthy within. Self-indulgence: the Greek word here translated means lack of self-control, whether in drinking or in sexual conduct.

Andy Alexander, S.J understands that Jesus and Paul could be writing to us today, pleading with us to be free from so much that is incompatible with our faith in Jesus.

Interior freedom, which leads to greater sensitivity to the needs of others, ultimately to mercy and self-sacrificing love, is a gift. We can't earn it or "do" things to get there. We can, however, ask for it. We can ask our Lord to open our hearts to receive the gift of his love so that we might fall in love with him in return. The more we experience his love for us - messy as we are - the more attracted we are to him. And, the more attracted we are to him the more we will hear his word in ways that draw us closer to him, in affection. Affection for our Lord alone frees our hearts from the patterns, habits, addictions which hold us enslaved and keep us from being free.

On the Memorial of St. Augustine, bishop, confessor and doctor, the Catholic Culture Website shares the collect prayer for today.

Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord, that spirit with which you endowed your Bishop Saint Augustine that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for you, the sole fount of true wisdom, and seek you, the author of heavenly love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Don Schwager quotes Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD) on Neglecting Weighty Matters of Love and Justice.

"Not only among the Jews but among ourselves as well, we find people sinning in these ways. They are swallowing camels. People of this type frequently show off their religion even in the smallest of things. They are rightly called hypocrites for wanting to exploit their religiosity before men but being unwilling to undertake that very faith which God himself has justified. Therefore the imitators of the scribes and Pharisees must be dislodged and sent away from us, lest a woe touches us in the same way it touches them. The scribes could be described as those who valued nothing found in the Scriptures except its plain sense interpreted legalistically. Meanwhile they condemn those who look into the very depths of God himself. Mint and dill and cummin are only spices for food but are not themselves substantial food. What substantive food would mean in conversion would be that which is necessary for the justification of our souls - faith and love - unlike these legalisms, which are more like condiments and flavorings. It is as if a meal might be thought to consist more of condiments and flavorings than the food itself. The seriousness of judgment is neglected while great attention is given to minor matters. Spiritual exercises which in and of themselves are hardly justice are spoken of as justice and compassion and faith. It is lacking in justice to treat these small parts as the whole. When we do not offer to God the observance of all that is necessary for worship, we fail altogether." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 19-20)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 23:23-26 reminds us that no matter how forcefully Jesus’ words strike you, be assured of this: God is not mad at you. He loves you intensely, and he is trying to open your eyes to the leftover mess in your heart. His rebuke is meant as an invitation to turn back to him.

Jesus’ rebuke might sound harsh; it might even make you squirm inside. After all, most of us know his words could just as easily apply to us. But Jesus isn’t trying to shame the Pharisees (or us) into change. He is trying to draw our gaze to the truth: only Jesus can cleanse the “inside of the cup,” our hearts (Matthew 23:26).

Friar Jude Winkler explores the challenge to the people of Thessalonica concerning the coming of the end of the world. The danger of neglecting the weightier matters of the law and becoming too scrupulous is illustrated in an absurd example with exaggeration. Friar Jude exhorts us not to miss the point to be mercy compassion and love to others.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Rabbi Rami Shapiro on the truth that Divine knowledge is always rooted in the details of ordinary life.

The ability to think critically about ourselves is the first necessary step out of the dualistic mind toward full consciousness. It teaches us rational honesty and patience with ambiguity and mystery. The Abrahamic religions have the power to correct themselves from the inside and move beyond mere superstition because of their sacred and self-critical texts.

The times of challenge that arise in our salvation history necessitate renewal of our conversion and faith in truth, beauty, love and compassion as a consequence of our personal and intimate relationship with Jesus.

References


(n.d.). 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Retrieved August 28, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/2thessalonians/2
(n.d.). Matthew chapter 23 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 28, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew23:46
(n.d.). Online Ministries Home Page - Creighton University. Retrieved August 28, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/preparing.html
(n.d.). Memorial of St. Augustine, bishop, confessor and doctor - August 28 .... Retrieved August 28, 2018, from https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 28, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 28, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Suffering thanksgiving and woes

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today recognize that our spiritual journey will involve suffering.

Mystery of suffering

Our response, based in our faith in the grace of God, is to recall all for which we express thanksgiving even as we may be distracted by those who wish to distort our understanding.

The Second Letter to the Thessalonians is an encouragement for those who have endured suffering as disciples of Jesus.

* [1:3–12] On the thanksgiving, see note on Rom 1:8 and cf. 1 Thes 1:2–10. Paul’s gratitude to God for the faith and love of the Thessalonians (2 Thes 1:3) and his Christian pride in their faithful endurance (2 Thes 1:4–5) contrast with the condemnation announced for those who afflict them, a judgment to be carried out at the parousia (2 Thes 1:6–10), which is described in vivid language drawn from Old Testament apocalyptic. A prayer for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the Thessalonians (2 Thes 1:11–12) completes the section, as is customary in a Pauline letter (cf. 1 Thes 1:2–3).

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus declares a denunciation of the actions of the Pharisees.

* [23:16–22] An attack on the casuistry that declared some oaths binding (one is obligated) and others not (it means nothing) and held the binding oath to be the one made by something of lesser value (the gold; the gift on the altar). Such teaching, which inverts the order of values, reveals the teachers to be blind guides; cf. Mt 15:14. Since the Matthean Jesus forbids all oaths to his disciples (Mt 5:33–37), this woe does not set up a standard for Christian moral conduct, but ridicules the Pharisees on their own terms.

Tamora Whitney comments on the woe to those who focus on the wrong things, who take themselves away from God, and who try to take others away as well. She notes that blessings will be on those who thank and praise God and who are faithful and lead others to the faith.

Don Schwager quotes Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD) on Shutting the Kingdom of Heaven.

"There are those who dare to say that God is not good because of the curses in his law that he places against their sin. And yet the one who is truly the Son of God who gave that same law is also the same one who put blessings into the law. The same God who provides blessings for those who are saved in a similar way applies curses which he placed in the law against sinners. 'Woe,' he says. Woe to you and to those hearing these things who plead the God of the law and yet do not understand that these words were spoken by God in a kindly way. So we understand why Jesus said, 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees.' They believe that it is in fact a good thing to pronounce these curses against sinners. They consider the arrangement of the law’s curses to be a part of God’s design. The chiding father frequently urges his advice on his son for his improvement - advice that may seem to be a curse. He does not wish the curses to be actualized, however, but rather he desires to avert him from even more such curses." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12 notes that sometimes in the face of obstacles, all we need is a kind word to keep us moving forward. When someone comments on how hard we are working, it energizes us and gives us hope. One simple word of encouragement can change the tone of an environment and bring peace to a situation on the verge of discord. Even a humble “Thank you for all you do” can brighten someone’s day.

Encouragement can start right in our own families. It can be so easy to focus on what we think needs correcting in family members. But how about pointing out all the things they are doing well instead? When we say to a teenager, “I saw how kind you were to your little brother today,” it makes her feel good about herself and will lead her to be kind to her brother in the future. When we tell our spouse, “I really appreciate how hard you are working to provide for us,” it makes him or her feel valued and appreciated.

Friar Jude Winkler explores the origin of the Second Letter to the Thessalonians. The letter urges preparation for the end times. He notes that the Pharisees proclaimed a distorted vision of what is really important.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes an Exodus passage that is how God described God’s self to Moses.

YHWH, YHWH, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and abounding in faithfulness. For the thousandth generation, YHWH maintains kindness, forgiving all your faults, transgressions, and sins. (Exodus 34:6-7)

The Bible shows a relentless movement toward intimacy and divine union between Creator and creatures. For this to happen, there needs to be some degree of compatibility, likeness, or even “sameness” between the two parties. In other words, there has to be a little bit of God in us that wants to find Itself.

References


(n.d.). 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/2thessalonians/1
(n.d.). Matthew chapter 23 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/23
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved August 27, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

This is too hard

In the Gospel, we find that many who followed Jesus over the his Bread of Life discourse leave Him.

Many left because Jesus' teaching was too hard. So, Jesus turns to his disciples and asks them if they will leave like the others. Peter, for all the times he has failed, gets it right. He says: "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the rewards of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God," (John 6:68-69).

Despite his limitations and failings, Peter has immense faith in Jesus. He knows in his heart who Jesus is - he knows Jesus is the Son of God. He knows that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Today, we pray that we have the faith of Peter to echo the very same words he says today. The faith demonstrated by the fisherman from Galilee, chosen by Jesus to be the leader, is where we best stand in the face of the Mystery of God.  Despite all the turbulence in our Church right now, we pray that, we may be bold in announcing that Jesus is Lord and Savior of our lives. And that we will never turn from Jesus and His Church.

Humility helps

Some catholic comments on the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today help us develop a practice of humility.

Humble service

The Prophet Ezekiel proclaims the future return of the celebration of the Glory of God in the Temple that is separated from the challenges and failings of secular rulers.

* [43:8] They placed their threshold against my threshold: in preexilic Jerusalem, the Temple and the palace belonged to the same complex of buildings; kings like Ahaz and Manasseh treated it as their private chapel for the religious practices Ezekiel condemns. In the new Israel the Temple is free, even spatially, from civil jurisdiction; cf. 45:7–8. This is an instance of Ezekiel’s broader program to separate the sacred from the secular.

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus denounces the outward show of false piety among the teachers of Israel.

* [23:5] To the charge of preaching but not practicing (Mt 23:3), Jesus adds that of acting in order to earn praise. The disciples have already been warned against this same fault (see note on Mt 6:1–18). Phylacteries: the Mosaic law required that during prayer small boxes containing parchments on which verses of scripture were written be worn on the left forearm and the forehead (see Ex 13:9, 16; Dt 6:8; 11:18). Tassels: see note on Mt 9:20. The widening of phylacteries and the lengthening of tassels were for the purpose of making these evidences of piety more noticeable.

Nancy Shirley comments that the readings today focus on our relationship with God and our mutual commitment.

We must look beyond their behaviors to what is the truth – they are NOT the example for us.  Jesus is our example, God is our Father. Those of the earth and the Man-made rules are just that, of the earth.  Our eternal glory is not of this earth, not of earthly standards or examples.

Hugh Whelchel, Executive Director of the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, offers a plan to overcome the spiritual/secular divide in our everyday lives.

Understand that the real distinction in our lives is between righteousness and unrighteousness. Between living in union with Christ, conforming to God’s character and commands (righteousness) and not rebelling against God and his commands. This is not a struggle we will win on the strength of our own labor. We will only win it if we yield to the Holy Spirit working in each one of us. This requires much prayer.Be reminded of what is required of those called to serve in God’s kingdom. The only way to do this is by being in God’s Word. Paul tells Timothy that the Word of God “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16)Remind yourself throughout your day that what you are doing at that moment is spiritual.

The meditation of Don Schwager centres on true humility that engenders respect for God and for his ways and inclines us to humility and to simplicity of heart.

A humble person makes a realistic assessment of oneself without illusion or pretense to be something one is not. A truly humble person regards oneself neither smaller nor larger than one truly is. True humility frees us to be ourselves as God regards us and to avoid falling into despair and pride. A humble person does not want to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others. Such a person is not swayed by accidentals, such as fame, reputation, success, or failure.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 23:1-12 comments that the traditions behind outward signs of devotion are, of course, valid and holy. But we have to make sure that the way we are living matches up with the outward signs of devotion that we display.

The best way to guard our hearts and minds is through the everyday regular practices of prayer, repentance, and service. They may not feel as flashy as brand-new crosses, but that’s okay. As we reach out to Jesus, we’ll find him reaching out to us. Over time, we’ll find ourselves becoming more like him—humble vessels of the Spirit

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the vision of Ezekiel where the Glory of God is reentering the Temple making it real a holy place where God will dwell among his people. The Schools of Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shammai taught with the authority of Moses. Friar Jude finds some Jewish exaggeration in the teaching method of Jesus against the over scrupulous attitude of the Pharisees.

The Jewish Virtual Library provides greater insight into the teaching of Hillel and Shammai.

Hillel the Elder’s friendly adversary was Shammai, a native of the Land of Israel about whom little is known except that he was a builder, known for the strictness of his views. He was reputed to be dour, quick-tempered and impatient. Both lived during the reign of King Herod (37-4 BCE), an oppressive period in Jewish history because of the Roman occupation of the Land of Israel. Shammai was concerned that if Jews had too much contact with the Romans, the Jewish community would be weakened, and this attitude was reflected in his strict interpretation of Jewish law. Hillel did not share Shammai's fear and therefore was more liberal in his view of law.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, in his weekly summary, recalls the teaching of Paul Knitter on how Buddhism can help Christians be conduit for the inflow and outflow of the gifts of the Spirit.

Buddhism can help Christians to be mystical Christians . . . to realize and enter into the non-dualistic, or unitive, heart of Christian experience—a way to be one with the Father, to live Christ’s life, to be not just a container of the Spirit but an embodiment and expression of the Spirit, to live by and with and in the Spirit, to live and move and have our being in God.

Practice can help us know that love is not determined by the worthiness of the object. Love is determined by the giver of the love. Spiritual gifts increase with use. Love, compassion, joy, and equanimity will grow as we let them flow. We are simply instruments.

References


(n.d.). Ezekiel chapter 43 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 25, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/43
(n.d.). Matthew chapter 23 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 25, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/23
(n.d.). Creighton's Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved August 25, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html
(2016, December 8). Overcoming the Sacred-Secular Divide. Retrieved August 25, 2018, from https://tifwe.org/overcoming-the-sacred-secular-divide/
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 25, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved August 25, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/?utm_content=buffer729ba&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
(n.d.). Hillel and Shammai - Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved August 25, 2018, from https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hillel-and-shammai
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 25, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Confirmation of our fig tree contemplation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to imagine the experience of Nathaniel as he accepts the invitation to “come and see” Jesus.

Contemplate "Come and See"

The Book of Revelation shares a image of the New Jerusalem where the Church is built upon the patriarchs of Israel and the apostles, of which Nathaniel, known as Bartholomew in the Synoptic Gospels, is an early member.

* [21:9–22:5] Symbolic descriptions of the new Jerusalem, the church. Most of the images are borrowed from Ez 40–48.
* [21:9] The bride, the wife of the Lamb: the church (Rev 21:2), the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:10); cf. 2 Cor 11:2.
* [21:14] Courses of stones,apostles: literally, “twelve foundations”; cf. Eph 2:19–20.

The Gospel from John relates the connection Jesus makes with Nathaniel as he pursues the truth and beauty of the Law under a fig tree.

* [1:49] Son of God: this title is used in the Old Testament, among other ways, as a title of adoption for the Davidic king (2 Sm 7:14; Ps 2:7; 89:27), and thus here, with King of Israel, in a messianic sense. For the evangelist, Son of God also points to Jesus’ divinity (cf. Jn 20:28).
* [1:50] Possibly a statement: “You [singular] believe because I saw you under the fig tree.”

Larry Gillick, S.J. shares that the encouragement from today’s Readings and for our sharing in the Eucharist is deep.

Faith is a way of seeing and hearing and faith needs doubts as a setting for believing. Believing plays out in doing and receiving, but never convincing. Our human desire for certainty is not always convinced even with data, logic and human experience at hand. The early Apostles, all their followers as Bishops, and we as followers embrace the very human condition which Jesus embraced, knew and kept faithful to. Seeing is not believing! Believing is a way of being seen by God, called by Jesus, and accepted by us.

Don Schwager sees in Nathaniel a skeptical but earnest search for God's truth and he comments on the kind of proof Philip offers to Nathanael.

Rather than argue with his friend, Philip took the wiser strategy of inviting Nathanael  to "come and see" for himself who this Jesus claimed to be. Clever arguments rarely win people to the Gospel - but an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ can change one's life forever. When people are receptive to the word of Christ and when they see his love in action, the Lord Jesus himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit, touches their hearts and opens their minds to recognize that he truly is the Son of God who reveals the Father's love and truth to us.

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 1:45-51 urges us to go and sit under our “fig tree” today, wherever that may be.

For centuries, God’s promises had sustained Israel with words of comfort, guidance, and hope. A radiant bride, a city and temple shimmering with the glory of the Lord—images that pointed to a peaceful future when God would live among his people and make them a light to the rest of the world.
Nathanael must have drawn strength from reflecting on this life to come, even as he had to deal with Roman occupation. Perhaps this gave him eyes to recognize Jesus as the “Son of God” and “King of Israel” who would set things right (John 1:49). And Jesus replied, in essence: “Keep watching. Have faith. You haven’t seen anything yet!”

Friar Jude Winkler shares the symbology in the image of the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation. Nathaniel is under the fig tree studying the law in a truthful way. The pursuit of Truth and Beauty connects Nathaniel to Jesus and, as Friar Jude reminds, to even greater revelation of the Divine.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers the value of mindfulness and offers the reflection of Paul Knitter who recalls that [Tibetan Buddhist] Pema Chödrön’s talk of Groundlessness and [Jesuit theologian] Karl Rahner’s emphasis on Mystery were two different fingers pointing to the same moon”:

For both of them, to feel the Reality of Mystery or Sunyata means to let go of self, to trust totally in what both of them call infinite openness. Openness to what? To what is, to what’s going on right now, in the trust that what is going on is what I am a part of and what will sustain and lead me, moment by moment. Only moment by moment. There are no grand visions promised here. Just a mindful trusting of each moment as it comes, with what it contains, with its confusion or inspiration, with its joy or horror, with its hope or despair. Whatever is there, this suchness right now, is the breath of the Spirit, the power of Mystery, the connectedness of Emptiness. . . . The suchness of each moment is the infinite Mercy of God.

We hope these meditations invite us to go deeper. Father Richard notes that Christianity and Buddhism are not in competition with one another, they offer great gifts to one another. Our practice of contemplation of truth and beauty under our fig tree may energize our efforts to ”come and see”.

References

(n.d.). Revelation chapter 21 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 24, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/21
(n.d.). John chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 24, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/1:45
(n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved August 24, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 24, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved August 24, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 24, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/