The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the role of an ordered life as an example to others in our communities.
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| Community combats chaos |
The reading from the First Letter to Timothy prescribes the qualifications of various ministers.
* [3:8–13] Deacons, besides possessing the virtue of moderation (1 Tm 3:8), are to be outstanding for their faith (1 Tm 3:9) and well respected within the community (1 Tm 3:10). Women in the same role, although some interpreters take them to mean wives of deacons, must be dignified, temperate, dedicated, and not given to malicious talebearing (1 Tm 3:11). Deacons must have shown stability in marriage and have a good record with their families (1 Tm 3:12), for such experience prepares them well for the exercise of their ministry on behalf of the community (1 Tm 3:13). See further the note on Phil 1:1.1
Psalm 101 is a Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice.
* [Psalm 101] The king, grateful at being God’s chosen (Ps 101:1), promises to be a ruler after God’s own heart (Ps 101:2–3), allowing into the royal service only the God-fearing (Ps 101:3–8).2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus raises the widow’s son at Nain.
* [7:11–17] In the previous incident Jesus’ power was displayed for a Gentile whose servant was dying; in this episode it is displayed toward a widowed mother whose only son has already died. Jesus’ power over death prepares for his reply to John’s disciples in Lk 7:22: “the dead are raised.” This resuscitation in alluding to the prophet Elijah’s resurrection of the only son of a widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 7:17–24) leads to the reaction of the crowd: “A great prophet has arisen in our midst” (Lk 7:16).3
Eileen Wirth says that Catholics who abhor the scandals but are committed to staying in the Church are hungry to find a way to reform it from within.
I also encourage everyone who wants to stay Catholic despite the current horrors to pray for the Church and for the many good bishops and priests who are among those hurt worst by the betrayals of their fellow clergy.
Today’s reading from Timothy speaks powerfully to our current situation by reminding us that “deacons” and, yes, “women” are among those with responsibility for the Church – in other words, all of us. And pray for healing the Church. The world needs our credible witness for justice and care for the poor.4
Don Schwager quotes “The dead man who meets the Life and the Resurrection,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The dead man was being buried, and many friends were conducting him to his tomb. Christ, the life and resurrection, meets him there. He is the Destroyer of death and of corruption. He is the One in whom we live and move and are (Acts 17:28). He is who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally was and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the bonds of death. He had mercy upon the woman, and that her tears might be stopped, he commanded saying, 'Weep not.' Immediately the cause of her weeping was done away." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 36)5
The Word Among Us meditation on Luke 7:11-17 comments that as He did for this widow, Jesus reaches out to touch us too. How will we respond?
He may wake you up in the middle of the night. Right then and there, in the dark, turn your heart to him. He may lead you to pray for a particular person or situation. Or he may simply remind you of how much he loves you. At Mass, perhaps a Scripture passage will suddenly bring clarity to a thorny issue in your family. Stop and thank him, asking for help in holding on to his word. In the middle of swirling fears about a health issue, Jesus may bring a burst of his peace into your heart and mind. Stop and receive it. Sit quietly with him, and let him calm you. He is reaching out to you, offering a message, an insight, a touch that will change you. Don’t miss out.6
A post by Franciscan Media is a reflection on Saint Robert Bellarmine, Saint of the Day. The renewal in the Church sought by Vatican II was difficult for many Catholics. In the course of change, many felt a lack of firm guidance from those in authority.
They yearned for the stone columns of orthodoxy and an iron command with clearly defined lines of authority. Vatican II assures us in The Church in the Modern World, “There are many realities which do not change and which have their ultimate foundation in Christ, who is the same yesterday and today, yes, and forever” (#10, quoting Hebrews 13:8).
Robert Bellarmine devoted his life to the study of Scripture and Catholic doctrine. His writings help us understand that the real source of our faith is not merely a set of doctrines, but rather the person of Jesus still living in the Church today.7
Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out some of the instructions for bishops and deacons. The leaders are to be people who show God’s grace. Friar Jude connects the emphasis of Luke on Jesus compassion to his vocation as a physician.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares verses from the Gita are the key to Gandhi’s life. . . . They tell us not what to do with our lives but what to be. And they are universal. We see essentially the same portrait in all scriptures, reflected in the lives of spiritual aspirants everywhere.
They live in wisdom who see themselves in all and all in them, whose love for the Lord of love has consumed every selfish desire and sense craving tormenting the heart. Not agitated by grief or hankering after pleasure, they live free from lust and fear and anger. Fettered no more by selfish attachments, they are not elated by good fortune nor depressed by bad. Such are the seers. [3]8
The orderly life that connects to Jesus is the fertile ground where the chaos of greed, lust, and pride is overcome.
References
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