The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of our relationship with God and our openness to deeper revelation through the inspiration of the Spirit.
Contemplative Cloister
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a denunciation of self-seeking officials.
* [22:20] Eliakim: by the time of the events described in 36:3, Eliakim had replaced Shebna as master of the palace.1
Psalm 138 offers thanksgiving and praise to God.
* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8).2
The Letter of Paul to the Romans asks ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord?’
* [11:33–36] This final reflection celebrates the wisdom of God’s plan of salvation. As Paul has indicated throughout these chapters, both Jew and Gentile, despite the religious recalcitrance of each, have received the gift of faith. The methods used by God in making this outreach to the world stagger human comprehension but are at the same time a dazzling invitation to abiding faith.3
In the Gospel of Matthew we hear Peter’s inspired declaration about Jesus.
* [16:13–20] The Marcan confession of Jesus as Messiah, made by Peter as spokesman for the other disciples (Mk 8:27–29; cf. also Lk 9:18–20), is modified significantly here. The confession is of Jesus both as Messiah and as Son of the living God (Mt 16:16). Jesus’ response, drawn principally from material peculiar to Matthew, attributes the confession to a divine revelation granted to Peter alone (Mt 16:17) and makes him the rock on which Jesus will build his church (Mt 16:18) and the disciple whose authority in the church on earth will be confirmed in heaven, i.e., by God (Mt 16:19).4
Amy Hoover suggests that the answer to the question “Who do you say that I am?” can help her grow in understanding of who she is called to be.
What I recognized was that I have been so distracted by life I was wondering if it was time to take a break from writing these reflections. I love doing it, but time, energy and inspiration seem to be waning. But I took a look at my process this morning and words were flying out, my paper was covered with scribbles like I couldn’t write fast enough. I realized I was having an experience of “being gifted” with the thoughts and words to say. In a small way, maybe I have been gifted and chosen to write this reflection. Humbling. What does that tell me about who I say God/Jesus is? God is the provider of inspiration, always present, cheering for me, loving me, using me. Again, humbling.5
Don Schwager quotes “Christ, the Son of the living God,” by Epiphanius the Latin (315-403 AD).
Did the Lord not know what people called him? But by questioning he brought forth the conviction of the apostle Peter and left for us in the future a strong affirmation of faith. For the Lord questioned not only Peter but all the apostles when he said, "Who do you say that I am?" Yet one on behalf of all answered the King, who is in due time to judge the whole world. He is God, both God and man. How miserable does this make those who are false teachers and strangers now, and to be judged in eternity. If Christ is the Son of God, by all means he is also God. If he is not God, he is not the Son of God. But since he himself is the Son, and as the Son takes up all things from the Father, let us hold this same one inseparably in our heart because there is no one who escapes his hand. (excerpt from INTERPRETATION OF THE GOSPELS 28)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 22:19-23 notes that these words point to something important about God’s desires for his kingdom. He wants a kingdom where leaders don’t lord their authority over the people in their care. He wants them to show compassion and concern for their people (Matthew 20:25-26).
That’s the type of leadership God wants parents or anyone in authority to exercise. Godly leaders don’t put themselves first. They are not greedy for honor or power. His kingdom is a place where, instead of setting themselves up against one another, his people serve one another with love, respect, and honor.7
Friar Father Jude Winkler, shares a daily audio reflection.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, continues the theme: Order, Disorder, Reorder with reflection on The Promised Land and the journey as experienced by conservatives and liberals.
Based on years of spiritual direction, I have observed that conservatives must let go of their illusion that they can order and control the world through religion, money, war, or politics. True release of control to God will show itself as compassion and generosity, and less boundary keeping. Liberals, however, must surrender their skepticism of leadership, eldering, or authority, and find what is good, healthy, and deeply true about a foundational order. This will normally be experienced as a move toward humility and real community.8
Our humble acceptance of our journey, nourished by deeper revelation of our relationship with God, helps our mission be fruitful.
References
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