The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate our position in relation to the love of justice, humility, and mercy desired for us by God.
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| Peace and humility |
The reading from the Prophet Micah describes how God challenges the understanding of Israel about what God requires.
* [6:8] To do justice refers to human behavior in relationship to others. To love goodness refers to the kind of love and concern which is at the heart of the covenant between the Lord and Israel; it is persistently faithful. To walk humbly with your God means to listen carefully to the revealed will of God.1
Psalm 50 reveals the acceptable sacrifice of praise.
* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20).2
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus cites Jonah as the Pharisees demand a sign.
* [12:38–42] This section is mainly from Q (see Lk 11:29–32). Mk 8:11–12, which Matthew has followed in Mt 16:1–4, has a similar demand for a sign. The scribes and Pharisees refuse to accept the exorcisms of Jesus as authentication of his claims and demand a sign that will end all possibility of doubt. Jesus’ response is that no such sign will be given. Because his opponents are evil and see him as an agent of Satan, nothing will convince them.3
Eileen Burke-Sullivan reminds us the Jonah story is about the call to the wicked people of Nineveh to repent before God destroys them (which they deserve). Will we see the sign? Will we hear the call to repentance from Micah, or a more contemporary prophet like Pope Francis?
Will we understand that we are destroying our earth, neglecting the hungry, ignoring the sick poor, identifying people in a hierarchy of value by the color of their skin or their cultural social status?
Will you, like Teresa of Avila, (one of the great mystics of the Church) come around a corner and encounter Jesus looking at you with sadness because of the time, gifts, even life, that you have wasted? Will I, like Peter, deny that I even know Jesus when he has begged me to stay faithful just for one night?
In this year of COVID, racism, the overheated tundra, famine and many other terrible responses and choices, it is time for a course correction for each one of us.4
Don Schwager quotes “The stumbling block of the cross,” from an anonymous early Christian teacher.
"What is the sign of Jonah? The stumbling block of the cross. So it is not the disputers of knowledge who will be saved but those who believe true teaching. For the cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling block to those who dispute knowledge but salvation to those who believe. Paul testifies to this: 'But we, for our part, preach the crucified Christ - to the Jews indeed a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Why do the Jews seek signs and the Greeks seek wisdom? God pointed to the sign of the stumbling block of the cross to both the Jews and the Greeks. Thus those who wish to find Christ not through faith but through wisdom will perish on the stumbling block of foolishness. Those who wish to know the Son of God not through faith but through a demonstration of signs will remain trapped in their disbelief, falling on the stumbling block of his death. It is no small wonder that the Jews, considering the death of Christ, thought he was merely a man, when even Christians - as they purport to be but really are not - because of his death are reluctant to declare the only begotten, the crucified, as incomparable majesty. (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 30)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 comments it’s such a relief that the reading ends with God telling them that they already know what is good—and it’s not animal sacrifices or offerings of grain. They simply need to get back to basics: to “do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
It’s the beginning of a new week, so it’s a great time to reflect on the ways you might show love this week. If you are concerned that you might fall short of even this goal, don’t worry. Just pick one thing to work on, some way you can love your spouse, your coworker, or those difficult people in your life just a bit better this week. Try holding your tongue instead of answering with a biting comment. Or forgive a perceived slight. Or share an affirming word.
It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. The good news is, as you pick one simple thing to work on this week, you will end up closer to God and better able to love as he does. Every little step forward is pleasing to him.6
Friar Jude Winkler recalls the types of sacrifice suggested by the Israelites to return to a good relationship with God. The conversion of the Ninevites was also a sign as Jesus continued to convert Gentile people. Friar Jude connects Jesus to Hebrew tradition as Wisdom Incarnate.
Cynthia Bourgeault, a member of the CAC’s teaching faculty, shares an epiphany she had about the significance of Mary Magdalene’s presence at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
But yes, right there in Matthew 27:61 it read: “And Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained standing there in front of the tomb.”
Suddenly the whole picture changed for me. I’d thought I knew the tradition well. As an Episcopal priest I’d presided over many Good Friday liturgies, and as a choral musician, I’d sung my share of Bach Passions. I’d thought I knew the plot backward and forward. How could this key point have escaped my attention? No wonder Mary Magdalene came so unerringly to the tomb on Easter morning; she’d stood by in silent, unflinching vigil the whole time Jesus was being laid to rest there. Maybe she never left . . . Since that moment I have literally not heard the Passion story in the same way. It inspired me to go back to the gospels and actually read the story in a new way. . . .7
We find Wisdom about our relationship with God in the example of Jesus and those who have followed Him with humility, love, and care for others.
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