The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenges Christians to be the light of faith in a world with a past and present of madmen in political power.
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| Madmen and the cry of the earth |
The reading from the First Book of Maccabees describes the persecution of Hebrew religion and culture by Greek madman Antiochus Epiphanes.
* [1:14] Gymnasium: symbol and center of Greek athletic and intellectual life, it was the chief instrument of Hellenistic culture. Jewish youth were attracted by sports and encouraged to join youth clubs. They received training in military skills and in the duties of citizens. Many were won over to paganism, and some even sought surgical correction of their circumcision (since physical exercise was carried out in nudity).1
In Psalm 119, the author prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law.
* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law,2
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho in the Gospel of Luke.
* [18:38] Son of David: the blind beggar identifies Jesus with a title that is related to Jesus’ role as Messiah (see note on Lk 2:11). Through this Son of David, salvation comes to the blind man. Note the connection between salvation and house of David mentioned earlier in Zechariah’s canticle (Lk 1:69). See also note on Mt 9:27.3
Cindy Costanzo reflects on this miracle and thinks of the many times throughout the day, evening, and week that her "faith has saved me."
And because I am imperfect and human; this week I have spoken words that I wish I had not; I have been unkind; and I have forgotten to do something that I promised; however, when I have asked for forgiveness, I am grateful that I have been forgiven. God who is among us in all creation loves me with a love that I cannot even fathom, a love just for me, to fulfill a purpose. In each of these moments during this past week and future weeks if I remember that and know my purpose for this moment is to care and to be kind and to show my love for my family, friends and co-workers then my faith has saved me and continues to save me daily.4
Don Schwager quotes “The blind man knows that Jesus is the Son of David and the Messiah,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The blind man must have understood that the sight of the blind cannot be restored by human means but requires, on the contrary, a divine power and an authority such as God only possesses. With God nothing whatsoever is impossible. The blind man came near to him as to the omnipotent God. How then does he call him the Son of David? What can one answer to this? The following is perhaps the explanation. Since he was born and raised in Judaism, of course, the predictions contained in the law and the holy prophets concerning Christ had not escaped his knowledge. He heard them chant that passage in the book of the Psalms, 'The Lord has sworn in truth to David, and will not annul it, saying: "of the fruit of your loins I will set a king upon your throne"' (Psalm 132:11)."The blind man also knew that the blessed prophet Isaiah said, 'There will spring up a shoot from the root of Jesse, and from his root a flower will grow up' (Isaiah 11:1). Isaiah also said, 'Behold, a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us' (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14). He already believed that the Word, being God, of his own will had submitted to be born in the flesh of the holy Virgin. He now comes near to him as to God and says, 'Have mercy on me, Son of David.' Christ testifies that this was his state of mind in offering his petition. He said to him, 'Your faith has saved you.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 126)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 comments that the first Book of Maccabees begins tragically. Some Israelites had decided to go along with a pagan king’s efforts to destroy the Jewish religion and “seduced” other Jews to join them (1:11). As a result, many abandoned the faith—but not all. Some remained “determined and resolved” not to forsake the Lord (1:62). And for their faith, they were put to death.
Most of us don’t face this kind of persecution. We are not forced to choose between God and our communities, our rights, or even life itself. But some of our brothers and sisters do face these kinds of choices...
Such widespread violence can make us feel powerless. But we can help! We can support organizations that defend persecuted Christians. And just as important, we can pray. We are connected to our persecuted brothers and sisters by the bonds of Baptism and faith. When they suffer, the whole body of Christ suffers—including us. But if we join our prayers to theirs, Jesus will hear our cries and answer us.6
Friar Jude Winkler connects the gymnasium of Antiochus Epiphanes to abhorrent terrible tribulation in Israel when some Jews decided to “go with the times”. The blind man shows us the need, at times, to “storm the heavens.” Friar Jude reminds us of the double healing that comes with faith.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Wes Granberg-Michaelson, author and former head of the Reformed Church in America, who makes it clear that Christians are called to be involved in politics, but not exclusively for our own personal gain.
So, for the Christian, politics entails an inevitable spiritual journey. But this is not the privatized expression of belief which keeps faith in Jesus contained in an individualized bubble and protects us from the “world.” The experience of true faith in the living God is always personal and never individual. Rather, it is a spiritual journey which connects us intrinsically to the presence of God, whose love yearns to save and transform the world. We are called to be “in Christ,” which means we share—always imperfectly, and always in community with others—the call to be the embodiment of God’s love in the world.7
The Kingdom of God being made visible among the political chaos of our time is the responsibility of the disciples of Jesus.
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