The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to gratitude for the relationships that have increased our faith and action as disciples of Jesus.
Seeing and doing
The reading from the Book of James relates hearing and doing the Word.
* [1:19–25] To be quick to hear the gospel is to accept it readily and to act in conformity with it, removing from one’s soul whatever is opposed to it, so that it may take root and effect salvation (Jas 1:19–21). To listen to the gospel message but not practice it is failure to improve oneself (Jas 1:22–24). Only conformity of life to the perfect law of true freedom brings happiness (Jas 1:25).1
Psalm 15 asks who shall abide in God’s Sanctuary?
* [Psalm 15] The Psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court (cf. Ps 24:3–6; Is 33:14b–16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the Temple official what conduct was appropriate to God’s precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one’s neighbor.2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cures a Blind Man at Bethsaida.
* [8:22–26] Jesus’ actions and the gradual cure of the blind man probably have the same purpose as in the case of the deaf man (Mk 7:31–37). Some commentators regard the cure as an intended symbol of the gradual enlightenment of the disciples concerning Jesus’ messiahship.3
Tom Purcell comments that Jesus knew that at times it was best for Him to be separate from the good he brought to those He loved so they would not misunderstand the nature of His love, and that of the Creator.
The ancient philosopher warrior Yoda, from a distant galaxy, far, far away, once said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” I think of Saint Teresa of Calcutta when I hear these words. She is attributed with saying “If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.” She also was credited with saying “The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.” I also think of the Ignatian prayer for generosity, some of which says “. . . to give and not to count the cost . . . to fight and not heed the wounds . . .” Being a doer is within our ability. It can become second nature with practice. The first “do” can lead to other “doings” and the hearer over time can become a doer. But, as Yoda said, there is no try – there ultimately only is DO! And so, my prayer today is for the grace to first be an active hearer, and then to be a faithful doer.4
Don Schwager quotes “Through the divine word of Christ he received his sight,” attributed to Pseudo-Chrysostom, in the 5th century A.D.
"[Jesus] spat indeed, and put his hand upon the blind man, because he wished to show that wonderful are the effects of the Divine word added to action; for the hand is the symbol of working, but the spittle, of the word proceeding out of the mouth. Again he asked him whether he could see any thing, which he had not done in the case of any whom he had healed, thus showing that by the weak faith of those who brought him, and of the blind man himself, his eyes could not altogether be opened. There follows: 'And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees walking;' because he was still under the influence of unfaithfulness, he said that he saw men obscurely. From the commencement, however, of the return of his senses, he leads him to apprehend things by faith, and thus makes him see perfectly. He then goes on to say, After that, he put his hands again upon his eyes, and he began to see, and afterwards he adds, And he was restored, and saw all things clearly; he was perfectly healed in his senses and his intellect." (excerpt from a Commentary on Mark 8:22-25, attributed to Pseudo-Chrysostom today, an unknown early church father unknown today, but was ascribed for a time to John Chrysostom, 5th century AD)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on James 1:19-27 urges us to keep doing what’s right. As James reminds us, acting on the truths of the gospel is just as important as knowing them. Keep responding with kindness, keep giving generously, and keep forgiving. We will experience the blessing of peace. We will have the assurance of doing what God asks, even when it’s not easy, as well as the joy of knowing that we are sharing Christ with those around you.
Whatever trials you are facing today, take some time to recognize God’s goodness and generosity and then act on the things you know to be true and right. Perhaps slowly, you’ll find that you are indeed blessed and that you can take each day as it comes. Perhaps too, you will become more convinced that your greatest reward will come from God, both in this life and in the next. “Jesus, thank you for the hope that you offer me. Help me to see your goodness and to act on your word today.”6
Friar Jude Winkler comments on James' wisdom to be slow to speak and build up rather than divide. Our freedom is expressed in action to serve others. Friar Jude reminds us to to have patience without presumption as we wait for God’s time to move forward.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that we can pray always when we live in conscious union with God. The surprise for most of us is that this place of relationship with God is really not about being perfect. The self in God will still make mistakes, but it lives from a center other than its own. It’s hard to get a feel for this until we’ve met a centered person, someone grounded and in union with God.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say that we have to have met a saint. My definition of Christianity at one time was that a Christian is someone who’s met one, because this whole thing is contagious! When we meet a person of a certain quality of maturity, we too can become more mature. We meet a patient person and we learn how to be patient. We meet a loving person and we learn how to be loving. That’s the way human beings operate. When we meet a really grounded, happy, and free person, we become more like that because we’ll be satisfied with nothing less. This whole thing, our faith, spreads through and by the quality of our relationships.7
The relationships that have brought us life have laid the foundation for the Spirit to bring life to others through our action in God’s time.
References
No comments:
Post a Comment