The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the witness to truth, beauty and goodness that may surprise us in our daily encounters.
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| Witnesses to goodness |
The reading from the Book of Daniel uses the contradiction between the statements of two elders to reveal their act of false witness.
* [13:55–59] The contrast between the mastic tree, which is small, and the majestic oak emphasizes the contradiction between the statements of the two elders. In the Greek text there is a play on words between the names of these two trees and the mortal punishment decreed by Daniel for the elders. The mastic tree (schinon) sounds like the verb “to split” (schisai). The oak tree (prinon) suggests a play on poisai (to saw).1
In Psalm 23, God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of shepherd and caring host.
* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10).2
In the Gospel from John, Jesus offers His testimony and that of the Father to His mission as The Light of the World.
* [8:14] My testimony can be verified: this seems to contradict Jn 5:31 but the emphasis here is on Jesus’ origin from the Father and his divine destiny. Where I am going: indicates Jesus’ passion and glorification3
Diane Jorgensen invites us to recall times when we have been unjustly accused, or times we have wrongly judged others. We bring these memories to the light of Christ, that we may see clearly; that we may remember where we come from, and where we are going.
Lent is a time to remember where we come from and where we are going, especially in these days leading up to Jesus’ arrest, passion and death. Jesus knew where he came from and where he was going, as did Susanna; as did Daniel. We live in the light of Christ when we remember this. When we know who we are, where we come from and where we are going, God can stir up our holy spirits, just as Daniel’s was stirred. And the light of Christ reveals the truth.4
Don Schwager shares the prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia, 480-547 AD.
"O gracious and Holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia, 480-547 AD)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 8:12-20 explores how Jesus was claiming to be “the light of the world” (John 8:12). He had already told them that God was his Father, but they didn’t believe him (John 5:18). To them he was a fraud and a threat to their authority. So they tried to trap him by demanding some proof of his claims.
When the world outside doesn’t affirm you, it’s clear that your confidence has to come from inside. You need to remember who you are, just as Jesus did. And this is who you are: a child of God. Just as he did with Jesus at his baptism, God testifies on your behalf. He tells you, “You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter. You have great dignity in my eyes.” This is the best “job reference” you could ever hope to have!6
Friar Jude Winkler describes Daniel as a figure of wisdom from ancient times who overturns the belief in the wisdom of the elderly. God uses people we would not expect to present us with truths. Friar Jude discusses the High Christology in the Gospel of John that is demonstrated by the witnesses claimed by Jesus.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that we all know respect when we see it (re-spect = to see a second time). We all know reverence because it softens our gaze. Any object that calls forth respect or reverence is the “Christ” or the anointed one for us at that moment, even though the conduit might just look like a committed research scientist, an old man cleaning up the beach, a woman going the extra mile for her neighbor, an earnest, eager dog licking your face, or an ascent of pigeons across the plaza.
All people who see with that second kind of contemplative gaze, all who look at the world with respect, even if they are not formally religious, are en Cristo, or in Christ. For them, as Thomas Merton says, “the gate of heaven is everywhere” [1] because of their freedom to respect what is right in front of them—all the time.
The Christ Mystery anoints all physical matter with eternal purpose from the very beginning. We should not be surprised that the word translated from the Greek as “Christ” comes from the Hebrew word mesach, meaning “the anointed” one or Messiah. Christ reveals that all is anointed, not just him.7
The witness we encounter to the Divine Presence may come from unexpected places. Our mindful gaze may enrich our experience in the Body of Christ.
References
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(n.d.). Daniel, chapter 13 - usccb. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/daniel/13
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(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 23 - usccb. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23
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(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
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(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
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(n.d.). 5th Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/04/08/
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(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: April 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/04
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