Providence and persecution

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with fear that seems to be part of persecution as both a driving force of evil and a disposition that impedes movement of the disciples of Christ.

Walking with confidence

The passage from the Book of Genesis connects with the apprehension of Jacob on being called to migrate to Egypt.

* [46:1–47:26] Jacob and his family settle in Egypt. Joseph’s economic policies.1 

Psalm 37 responds to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer?

* [Psalm 37] The Psalm responds to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth.2 

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus presents our connection to the Spirit as support in persecutions (note: error on USCCB page links to Mark 10).

 * [10:17] The persecutions attendant upon the post-resurrection mission now begin to be spoken of. Here Matthew brings into the discourse sayings found in Mk 13 which deals with events preceding the parousia.3

 Gladyce Janke comments that today’s readings offer two stories related to leaving and venturing into the unknown and even hostile territory.

 These texts offer reassurance that God accompanies me, no matter where I go.  My home is a gift from God, but it is only temporary. Ignatius (Ignatius Loyola) counsels that a gift should not become a distraction to my relationship with God. Said another way, to be a disciple of Christ, I should use every blessing (gift) to help further the realization of God’s Kingdom.  If my home is a distraction, then I should let it go. Even if what I own is not a distraction, eventually I will leave this place. I will either go to another temporary (earthly) home or my permanent home with God.  I have faith that God will accompany me on the journey and is already waiting to welcome me into my next space. I only need to have faith, use my gifts to be a disciple of Christ and, “Trust in the Lord and do good (Ps 37:3).”4

The wisdom within the stories is timeless. Don Schwager quotes “The Spirit of your heavenly Father speaks through you in every age,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD).

"To be sure, we heard in that reading, 'But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious how or what you are to speak... for it is not you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you.' And he says in another place: 'Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20). Does this mean that the people who heard those words of the Lord would be here until the end of the world? The Lord was referring, rather, not only to those about to depart from this life but also to the others, including us and those who would come after us in this life. He saw everyone in his single body, and the words he spoke, 'I am with you even to the end of the world,' were heard by them and by us too. And if we did not hear them then in our knowledge, we heard them in his foreknowledge. Therefore, safe as sheep among the wolves, let us keep the commandments of him who directs us. And let us be 'innocent as doves but cautious as snakes' (Matthew 10:16). Innocent as doves that we may not harm anyone; cautious as snakes that we may be careful of letting anyone harm us." (excerpt from the  Sermon 44a.2)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30 asks what situations cause us uncertainty or anxiety? Like Jacob and his descendants, we might right now be facing painful partings, job changes, or opportunities that stretch us. Particularly when family traditions, values, and relationships are in a state of upheaval, fear can creep in.

 God had a plan to fulfill Jacob’s deepest hopes—and he already knows what is most important to you. He is your mighty God. And that is a great reason to feel encouraged. God is faithful to his faithful ones. With him by your side, you can meet the future with courage as Jacob did.6

Natural and Unnatural Fear Rational and Irrational Hope, a presentation by Daniel P. Horan, OFM, provides some background to fear and faith.

Friar Jude Winkler comments on how God intervenes to assist Jacob in overcoming his fear of going to Egypt. St. Therese of Lisieux identifies the martyrdom of pin pricks. Friar Jude confirms that mockery and being taken advantage of are situations faced by believers today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, writes that Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi dissident (1906-1945), who was executed at Flossenburg prison camp, could be considered a modern prophet.

And it is perhaps in this light, in which he came to see the identity between the cross of Jesus and solidarity with the oppressed, that Dietrich Bonhoeffer offers such a poignant model of contemporary holiness. After the war some German Christians were reluctant to call him a martyr, since he had been executed for political rather than “religious” charges. This attitude, which would set the “holy life” apart from the world and its concrete demands, exemplified the religious mentality that Bonhoeffer rejected. For him, following Christ was a matter of engagement in this world, “living unreservedly in life’s duties, problems, successes and failures, experiences and perplexities. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world—watching with Christ in Gethsemane. That, I think is faith, that is metanoia; and that is how one becomes a [person] and a Christian.” [4]7 

Our fear reaction to change seems to both protect us from harm and in our spiritual journey impede our growth in relationship with God and others.

References

1	(n.d.). Genesis, chapter 46 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 12, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/genesis/46
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 37 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 12, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/37
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 12, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 12, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 12, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 14th Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 12, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/07/12/
7	(2019, July 12). Engagement — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 12, 2019, from https://cac.org/engagement-2019-07-12/