Revealing Good News

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, on the Feast of Saint Andrew, resonate with contemplation of the action we are called to based on the transformation of our natural gifts in our relationship with Jesus.

 

Transform our talents

The reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans declares how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

 * [10:9–11] To confess Jesus as Lord was frequently quite hazardous in the first century (cf. Mt 10:18; 1 Thes 2:2; 1 Pt 2:18–21; 3:14). For a Jew it could mean disruption of normal familial and other social relationships, including great economic sacrifice. In the face of penalties imposed by the secular world, Christians are assured that no one who believes in Jesus will be put to shame (Rom 10:11).1

Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.

 

* [19:4] No speech, no words: the regular functioning of the heavens and the alternation of day and night inform human beings without words of the creator’s power and wisdom.2

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls the First Disciples.

 

* [4:18–22] The call of the first disciples promises them a share in Jesus’ work and entails abandonment of family and former way of life. Three of the four, Simon, James, and John, are distinguished among the disciples by a closer relation with Jesus (Mt 17:1; 26:37).3

Michael Kavan invites us to reflect on what we can “leave behind” in order to improve our ability to hear the word of God, enhance our faith, and better follow the example that Jesus sets for us.

 I do think we are being asked to consider what we need to leave behind in order to eliminate the static and to better hear and then follow God’s word. Sure, these could be possessions – the bigger house, the newer car, more of this or more of that, but I also think about the value of leaving behind grudges, resentment, and jealousy toward others, anger directed outward or inward, addictions – and anything that impedes our ability to hear God’s word and then to follow accordingly.4

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus chooses them for what they can become,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.

 

"'Before he says or does anything, he calls the apostles so nothing may be concealed from them as to Christ's words or works and they may later say in confidence: 'For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:20). He sees them not bodily but spiritually, regarding not their appearance but their hearts. And he chooses them not as apostles but because they could become apostles. Just as an artist who sees precious, and not rough-hewn, stones chooses them - not because of what they are but because of what they can become. Like the sensitive artist who does not spurn the unshaped good - so too the Lord, upon seeing them, does not choose their works but their hearts." (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 7, the Greek fathers).5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 4:18-22 notes that out of the many people who did hear about Jesus’ ministry in its earliest days, Andrew had a unique response. Along with his brother, Peter, and their friends, James and John, Andrew left his nets in an extraordinary act of faith. His encounter with Jesus left an imprint that made him willing to let go of everything else so that he could learn more about who this man was.

 

This Advent, consider praying through one of the Gospels as a way to encounter Jesus. As you contemplate God’s word, see if Jesus is asking you to depart from “business as usual.” Maybe he is asking you to come away to be with him for a while so that you can learn from him. You may not be able to walk with Jesus as Andrew did, but you can walk with him through the pages of the Bible.6

Friar Jude Winkler explains justification and salvation as expressed by Paul. Justification is through faith. Salvation is worked out daily. Friar Jude reminds us that the gifts of God are to build up the Kingdom, not for our self aggrandizement.

 

The Franciscan Media Saint of the Day website notes little else is said about Andrew, patron Saint of fishermen, Greece, Russia, and Scotland, in the Gospels. Before the multiplication of the loaves, it was Andrew who spoke up about the boy who had the barley loaves and fishes. When the Gentiles went to see Jesus, they came to Philip, but Philip then had recourse to Andrew. Legend has it that Andrew preached the Good News in what is now modern Greece and Turkey and was crucified at Patras on an X-shaped cross.

 

As in the case of all the apostles except Peter and John, the Gospels give us little about the holiness of Andrew. He was an apostle. That is enough. He was called personally by Jesus to proclaim the Good News, to heal with Jesus’ power and to share his life and death. Holiness today is no different. It is a gift that includes a call to be concerned about the Kingdom, an outgoing attitude that wants nothing more than to share the riches of Christ with all people.7

Brian McLaren believes that the Spirit of God works everywhere to bring and restore aliveness—through individuals, communities, institutions, and movements. Movements play a special role.

 the Hebrew prophets launched a series of movements based on a dream of a promised time . . . a time of justice when swords and spears, instruments of death, would be turned into plowshares and pruning hooks, instruments of aliveness [Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3]. Then came John the Baptist, a bold and nonviolent movement leader who dared to challenge the establishment of his day and call people to a movement of radical social and spiritual rethinking. . . . When a young man named Jesus came to affiliate with John’s movement through baptism, John said, “There he is! He is the one!” Under Jesus’ leadership, the movement grew and expanded in unprecedented ways. . . . It rose again through a new generation of leaders like James, Peter, John, and Paul, who were full of the Spirit of Jesus. They created learning circles in which activists were trained to extend the movement locally, regionally, and globally. Wherever activists in this movement went, the Spirit of Jesus was alive in them, fomenting change and inspiring true aliveness. . . .8

Our life with Jesus is a light to be shared with all people who come into our day.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Romans, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/10
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB. Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19
3	(n.d.). Matthew, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/4
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=nov30a
6	(2020, November 30). Saint Andrew, Apostle (Feast) - The Word Among Us. Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/11/30/177500/
7	(n.d.). Saint of the Day | Franciscan Media. Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andrew
8	(2020, November 30). A Faith Created by Courageous Movements — Center for .... Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://cac.org/a-faith-created-by-courageous-movements-2020-11-30/

 

Awake to Restoration

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the beginning of the Liturgical Year invite us to focus on our relationship with Christ today and in the future.

Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

 

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah asserts that we are all the work of God’s hand.

 

* [63:19–64:3] A new theophany, like Sinai of old, is invoked so that Israel’s enemies will be humbled by God’s intervention.1

Psalm 80 is a prayer for Israel’s restoration.

 

* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19).2

The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians reminds us that we are called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

* [1:1–9] Paul follows the conventional form for the opening of a Hellenistic letter (cf. Rom 1:1–7), but expands the opening with details carefully chosen to remind the readers of their situation and to suggest some of the issues the letter will discuss.3

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus urges the need for our watchfulness and keeping awake.

 

* [13:3–37] Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of the temple (Mk 13:2) provoked questions that the four named disciples put to him in private regarding the time and the sign when all these things are about to come to an end (Mk 13:3–4)... No one but the Father knows the precise time, or that of the parousia (Mk 13:32); hence the necessity of constant vigilance (Mk 13:33–37). Luke sets the parousia at a later date, after “the time of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–25:46.4

Barbara Dilly explores that Isaiah acknowledges that God is our father and our redeemer, but he is anxious about how God works in our hearts.  Is it God that lets us wander from God’s ways?  Is it God who hardens our hearts?  Has God left us to our own devices and then become angry with us… While Christ Jesus changed our relationship with God, we are still flawed human beings.  He tells us clearly that we need to keep watch over our faith.  Advent is a perfect time to practice our vigilance.  We are not just awaiting the coming of the Savior in the celebration of Christmas in Christ’s birth.  We should be learning to better focus our faith on the enrichment of spiritual gifts that come to us in Jesus.

 

This Advent season, as we plan our gift giving, I pray that we can think of ways that we can better share our spiritual gifts with others.  During this very difficult time, I think our loved ones really need our gifts of faith, hope, charity, love, forgiveness, and encouragement much more than they need chocolates or sweaters.   I give thanks for Advent as the time to enrich ourselves in all these ways through the grace of God.5

Don Schwager quotes “Christ's second and final coming,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "Who are the 'all' to whom he says this if not his elect and his beloved, the members of his body which is the church (Colossians 1:18,24)? Therefore, he said this not only to those who then heard him speaking, but also to those who came after them and before us, as well as to us and to those who will come after us until his final coming. Is that day going to encounter only those currently living, or is anyone likely to say that these words are also addressed to the dead, when he says: 'Watch, lest he comes suddenly and finds you asleep' (Mark 13:35-36)? Why, then, does he say to all what concerns only those who will then be living? For that day will come to every single one, when the day comes for him to leave this life, such as it is, to be judged on the last day (John 12:48). For this reason, every Christian ought to watch lest the coming of the Lord find him unprepared. But the last day will find unprepared anyone whom this day will find unprepared (Matthew 25:1-13). This at least was certainly clear to the apostles. Even if the Lord did not come in their times, while they were still living here in the flesh, yet who would doubt that they watched most carefully and observed what he said to all, lest coming suddenly he might find them unprepared?" (excerpt from LETTER 199, TO HESYCHIUS 3)6

The Word Among us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 reminds us God will reward whatever effort we put into our Advent preparations. That’s because he wants nothing more than to deepen our relationship with Jesus. That’s the grace God is offering this season.

 

Friar Jude Winkler explains the disappointment among the people described in Trito-Isaiah that the promises of Second Isaiah have not been realized. In speaking to Greeks, Paul emphasizes the gifts from God in Christ. Friar Jude recommends that we leave nothing undone or unsaid in preparation for the end times.

 

Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD, considers how the texts speak on the first Sunday of Advent this year in particular to a world, in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic, which needs to survive, rebuild and heal… it will require short-term and long-term thinking. We can hear this call to attend to the future, as well as the here and now, in the readings for the first Sunday of Advent, and in Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, Fratelli tutti.

 

We have a chance now to step back, and reflect on the world we want to live in. The world we want to leave for our children. By helping the most vulnerable communities on earth protect themselves and survive the spread of coronavirus. By standing with them as they rebuild their lives. By urging our Government to drop the debt so developing countries can focus their resources on healthcare, or simply by driving less and walking more so we have cleaner air to breathe. This is our chance to heal our human family, and to heal our common home… and it can start from within ourselves. In a passage evocative of the Spiritual Exercises, where St Ignatius invites personal reflection on ‘what I have done for Christ, what I am doing for Christ, what I ought to do for Christ’[11], Pope Francis directs us inwards as we seek to change the world around us.7

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that before the imperial edict of 313 that pushed Christians to the top and the center of the Roman Empire, values like nonparticipation in war, simple living, and love of enemies were common within the faithful community. The church at that point was still countercultural and non-imperial—a social movement for the reign of God. After 313 we lost that free position. Christianity increasingly accepted, and even defended, the dominant social order, especially concerning war, money, and authority.

 Francis and Clare of Assisi formed their own “social movement” through a foundational agenda for justice. They lived in humility and simplicity outside the dominant social, political, and religious systems. For the Franciscans who followed in their footsteps, the first priority was living the spiritual life in a visible way that shouted Gospel love! Their life, close to the bottom, was where they hoped to learn the science of love. Their small communities were to be patterns for living and disseminating the transformative power of the Gospel.8

The needs of the community in these times are visible to us. Our response is healing now and preparation to reset our priorities for a future in greater harmony with the Love of God.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Isaiah, CHAPTER 63 | USCCB. Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/63
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB. Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80
3	(n.d.). 1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/1
4	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/13
5	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112920.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture .... Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=nov29
7	(2020, November 27). Survive, rebuild, heal | Thinking Faith: The online journal of .... Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/survive-rebuild-heal
8	(2020, November 29). A Spirit-Led Christianity — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 29, 2020, from https://cac.org/a-spirit-led-christianity-2020-11-29/

 

 

Living Fully

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our actions that support our hope in living fully beyond the distractions of troubled times.

River of Life

 

The reading from the Book of Revelation describes a vision of the River of Life flowing through the New Jerusalem.

 

* [22:2] The tree of life: cf. Rev 22:14; see note on Rev 2:7. Fruit,medicine: cf. Ez 47:12.1

Psalm 95 A Call to Worship and Obedience

Psalm 95 is a call to worship and obedience.

 

* [Psalm 95] Twice the Psalm calls the people to praise and worship God (Ps 95:1–2, 6), the king of all creatures (Ps 95:3–5) and shepherd of the flock (Ps 95:7a, 7b). The last strophe warns the people to be more faithful than were their ancestors in the journey to the promised land (Ps 95:7c–11). This invitation to praise God regularly opens the Church’s official prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours.2

 In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus offers an exhortation to watch and be vigilant.

 

* [21:5–36] Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Luke is inspired by Mk 13 but Luke has made some significant alterations to the words of Jesus found there. Luke maintains, though in a modified form, the belief in the early expectation of the end of the age (see Lk 21:27, 28, 31, 32, 36), but, by focusing attention throughout the gospel on the importance of the day-to-day following of Jesus and by reinterpreting the meaning of some of the signs of the end from Mk 13 he has come to terms with what seemed to the early Christian community to be a delay of the parousia. Mark, for example, described the desecration of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans (Mk 13:14) as the apocalyptic symbol (see Dn 9:27; 12:11) accompanying the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man. Luke (Lk 21:20–24), however, removes the apocalyptic setting and separates the historical destruction of Jerusalem from the signs of the coming of the Son of Man by a period that he refers to as “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–36 and Mk 13:1–37.3

Mary Lee Brock notes that Jesus warns us not let our hearts become drowsy. The sources of anxiety are plentiful as we collectively worry about health, finances, identity, safety and quality of life. While these worries are very real and important, they distract us from trusting in God.

 

As I pray with today’s gospel I feel a sense of calm come over me.  Although I have allowed myself to be distracted by the anxieties of daily life, I am invited to shift my attention away from anxious thoughts and feelings.   This is the time to create a new normal. The covid pandemic has provided an opportunity to appreciate what is important in life, how we can connect with one another in more meaningful ways and what attractions, habits and behaviors we should turn away from.4

Don Schwager quotes “Drunkenness weakens both soul and body,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

 

“'But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare.' You heard the proclamation of the eternal King. You learned the deplorable end of 'drunkenness' or 'intoxication' Imagine a skilled and wise physician who would say, 'Beware, no one should drink too much from this or that herb. If he does, he will suddenly be destroyed.' I do not doubt that everyone would keep the prescriptions of the physician's warning concerning his own health. Now the Lord, who is both the physician of souls and bodies, orders them to avoid as a deadly drink the herb 'of drunkenness' and the vice 'of intoxication' and also the care of worldly matters. I do not know if anyone can say that he is not wounded, because these things consume him. Drunkenness is therefore destructive in all things. It is the only thing that weakens the soul together with the body. According to the apostle, it can happen that when the body 'is weak,' then the spirit is 'much stronger' (2 Corinthians 12:10), and when 'the exterior person is destroyed, the interior person is renewed' (2 Corinthians 4:16). In the illness of drunkenness, the body and the soul are destroyed at the same time. The spirit is corrupted equally with the flesh. All the members are weakened: the feet and the hands. The tongue is loosened. Darkness covers the eyes. Forgetfulness covers the mind so that one does not know himself nor does he perceive he is a person. Drunkenness of the body has that shamefulness." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 7.5-6)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:34-36 comments that St. Padre Pio had a famous piece of advice that is just as simple to remember for when we are feeling burned by anxious thoughts: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” This little phrase is so simple and effective that we can even equate it to “Stop, drop, and roll” as a way to help us avoid the trap of anxiety.

 

Don’t let your concerns paralyze you. Instead, try to roll with whatever comes your way. Of course, it’s easy to say, “Just don’t worry,” but it’s hard to do it. That’s why we have the gift of faith. Exercise your faith in God’s love and provision by trying your best to keep moving forward with your day. Often, one or two steps may be all you need to break through. Jesus cautions us to “beware” that we do not slip into worry (Luke 21:34). So try to be more aware of your thoughts today. Be ready to stop, drop, and roll whenever you need to. “Lord, teach me how to pray, hope, and not worry.”6

Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out the vision of the river of life in Revelation as a promise of life in Jesus Presence. Christians call to Jesus coming at Christmas and the end of time with Marana tha! Friar Jude suggests we remain vigilant by transparently giving witness in everything to our faith.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, invites us to enter a Centering Prayer practice inspired by prayer found in Thomas Merton’s book Thoughts in Solitude.

 

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always though

I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.7

The Liturgical Year ends with a reminder to trust Jesus Presence in our lives to bring hope and disperse worry and distractions.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Revelation, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/22
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 95 | USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/95
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112820.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture .... Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=nov28
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/11/28/177306/
7	(2020, November 28). Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Action: Weekly Summary .... Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://cac.org/thomas-merton-contemplation-and-action-weekly-summary-2020-11-28/