Anxiety and Authority

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today connect with our anxiety over the seeming paralyzation of efforts to bring peace, justice, respect, and love to the world. 

Peace and Transformation

In the reading from the Prophet Amos, Amaziah complains to the King.

* [7:14] I am not a prophet: Amos reacts strongly to Amaziah’s attempt to classify him as a “prophet-for-hire” who “earns [his] bread” by giving oracles in exchange for payment (cf. 1 Sm 9:3–10; Mi 3:5). To disassociate himself from this kind of “professional” prophet, Amos rejects outright the title of nabi’ (“prophet”). By profession he is a herdsman/sheepbreeder and a dresser of sycamore trees, but God’s call has commissioned him to prophesy to Israel. (Amos, CHAPTER 7, n.d.)

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

* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem. (Psalms, PSALM 19, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals a Paralytic.

* [9:8] Who had given such authority to human beings: a significant difference from Mk 2:12 (“They…glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this’”). Matthew’s extension to human beings of the authority to forgive sins points to the belief that such authority was being claimed by Matthew’s church. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Tom Purcell asks why was it so hard for the crowds pressing around Jesus when He cured someone to rejoice in the great good fortune for the recipient and not press and angle for something for themselves as well?

Is it not a miracle in itself that we are loved by the Divine?  Is it not beyond our human experience that God would, at times, step in and change the course of our lives?  Is not life itself the most significant and poignant miracle of all?  Isn’t the reality of our every single moment a miracle – this breath I just took, the sunrise I saw this morning, the trill of the songbird in my yard, the collective knowledge of humankind that enables me to even communicate these feelings?  Doesn’t the miracle of life itself give us great solace that our own lives are meaningful precisely because this Divine Being so loved us as to create us and this world? And so, my prayer today is for the grace to wonder at all the miracles I see around me and to pay homage to the God who loves me so much. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Healing of soul and body,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).

"Now in the narrative of the paralytic a number of people are brought forward for healing. Jesus' words of healing are worthy of reflection. The paralytic is not told, 'Be healed.' He is not told, 'Rise and walk.' But he is told, 'Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven you.' The paralytic is a descendant of the original man, Adam. In one person, Christ, all the sins of Adam are forgiven. In this case the person to be healed is brought forward by ministering angels. In this case, too, he is called a son, because he is God's first work. The sins of his soul are forgiven him, and pardon of the first transgression is granted. We do not believe the paralytic committed any sin [that resulted in his illness], especially since the Lord said elsewhere that blindness from birth had not been contracted from someone's sin or that of his parents" [John 9:1-3]. (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 8.5) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:1-8 comments that we hear the words “I absolve you from your sins” in the Prayer of Absolution every time we go to Confession. And we routinely ask for and give forgiveness in our personal relationships. So hearing words of forgiveness might seem more commonplace or “easy.”

It is halfway through the year. How long has it been since you’ve gone to Confession? Your parish probably has times for Confession scheduled this weekend. Come to Jesus in the sacrament and receive the forgiveness and healing that he suffered so greatly to win for you.m“Jesus, thank you for the surpassing value of the healing and mercy that I can receive in the Sacrament of Reconciliation!” (Meditation on Matthew 9:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Amaziah is concerned that Amos, who is not from Israel, is prophesying and threatening to destabilize the monarchy. A dresser of sycamore trees harvested fruit of the poor that was difficult to obtain. Friar Jude reminds us that a broken heart is more difficult to heal than a broken leg as we seek Divine help for our spiritual paralysis. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that for early Hasidic mystics, learning the Scriptures was important, but encountering God directly within the Scriptures was even more so. Jewish scholar Arthur Green translates from a collection of Hasidic teachings on contemplative prayer. The Christian contemplative tradition also prioritizes transformation over information and a humble stance over certainty.

 

We need transformed people today, and not just people with answers. As Eugène Ionesco wrote, “Explanation separates us from astonishment . . . ”. [3] I do not want my teachings and my too many words to separate anyone from astonishment or to act as a substitute for inner experience. The marvelous anthology of books and letters called the Bible is all for the sake of astonishment—not “proof” or certainty! It’s for divine transformation (theosis), not intellectual or “small-self” coziness. Ideas are not a problem—but a true inner experience is something else. It changes us, and human beings do not like to change. The biblical revelation invites us into a genuinely new experience. The trouble is that we have made the Bible into a bunch of ideas—about which we can be right or wrong—rather than an invitation to a new set of eyes. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)

We are prompted by the Spirit to live our Baptismal gift of prophecy as we seek to address the needs of people in transformation from paralysis to peace. 

References

Amos, CHAPTER 7. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/7?10 

Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/063022.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?1 

Meditation on Matthew 9:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/06/30/422962/ 

Psalms, PSALM 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?8 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Knowing Less, Loving More. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/knowing-less-loving-more-2022-06-30/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heart - Your Sins Are Forgiven. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jun30 

Freedom to Declare Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the paradox of the diversity in the missions of Peter and Paul as the guidance of the Spirit led them to live the truth of Jesus.

From ‘Apostles Peter and Paul’ by El Greco

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles declares that James is killed and Peter imprisoned and then delivered from prison.

* [12:1–19] Herod Agrippa ruled Judea A.D. 41–44. While Luke does not assign a motive for his execution of James and his intended execution of Peter, the broad background lies in Herod’s support of Pharisaic Judaism. The Jewish Christians had lost the popularity they had had in Jerusalem (Acts 2:47), perhaps because of suspicions against them traceable to the teaching of Stephen. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

Psalm 34 gives praise for deliverance from trouble.

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34, n.d.)

The reading from the Second Letter of Timothy shares Paul’s reward for fidelity.

* [4:6] The apostle recognizes his death through martyrdom to be imminent. He regards it as an act of worship in which his blood will be poured out in sacrifice; cf. Ex 29:38–40; Phil 2:17. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew is Peter’s declaration about Jesus at Caesarea Philippi.

* [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). (Matthew, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Julie Kalkowski shares today's reading from St. Paul was the exact one used at her father’s funeral.

While my dad could be difficult at times, I believe he “competed well” and “kept the faith” as St. Paul wrote in today’s second reading. My dad’s strength came from God so he could often ‘be obedient to charity.’ May that be true for all of us. (Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Only by hope,” by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.

"'Turn, O my soul, into your rest: for the Lord has been bountiful to you' (Psalm 114:7). The brave contestant applies to himself the consoling words, very much like to Paul, when he says: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. For the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice.' These things the prophet also says to himself: Since you have fulfilled sufficiently the course of this life, turn then to your rest, 'for the Lord has been bountiful to you.' For, eternal rest lies before those who have struggled through the present life observant of the laws, a rest not given in payment for a debt owed for their works but provided as a grace of the munificent God for those who have hoped in him." (excerpt from HOMILIES 22) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 12:1-11 comments that Peter and Paul built up the Church in very different ways, but despite their differences, both men chose to obey Jesus’ call to “Follow me” (Acts 12:8). They didn’t become like each other or lose their personalities. Instead, through the Spirit, they became more like Jesus. Today, we honor them together because in the end, they followed Jesus unto death, both dying as martyrs in Rome.

Each of us is unique, but whatever our personalities, this one truth is the same: the same Spirit that empowered Peter and Paul lives in us. Do you feel unqualified to serve the Lord? Are you burdened by your past? Look to these two heroes of the faith. Their lives were changed by the power of the Spirit, just as yours can. Today, ask them to pray for you as you seek to yield to the Spirit and follow Jesus wherever he leads you. “Holy Spirit, help me to follow Jesus today.” (Meditation on Acts 12:1-11, n.d.)

Fr John Twist SJ, Chaplain to Stonyhurst College, comments that saints Peter and Paul were both men of great faith and influence, but they had very different understandings of the Messiah to whom they dedicated their lives.

It is believed that the two great apostles were both martyred in Rome: Paul executed with a sword as a Roman citizen; Peter crucified upside down in imitation of his friend, Jesus. There can be little doubt that Paul was the more influential figure, with his letters forming a major part of the New Testament; Paul was the great theoretician of Christianity. But it is Peter who is more warmly embraced. Here is a very human figure, with real defects but great generosity; a man all of us can not merely admire, but to a degree can hope to imitate. Paul’s thoughts have left their mark on Christianity, but it is Peter’s personality that has moved Christian hearts. (Twist, 2013)

Friar Jude Winkler uses the lives of Peter and Paul to remind us that God accompanies us in life and even to martyrdom. The readiness of Paul to accept life or death is expressed in his letter to the Philippians. Friar Jude notes that the date of Matthew’s Gospel is later than the death of Peter, indicating that the head of the Church is conferred on the descendants of Peter, the Pope.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber (1878–1965) who helped introduce the non-Jewish world to the passionate spirituality of nineteenth-century Hasidism. As a young boy, Buber lived with his grandparents in Lemberg, present day Lviv, Ukraine. He was impacted by his grandfather’s Hasidic faith and went on to dedicate much of his scholarly life to sharing the legends, sayings, and stories of Hasidism. Much like the sayings of the Christian desert fathers and mothers, Hasidic short sayings contain wisdom beyond their words. We share several from Martin Buber’s work and encourage you to read them slowly, several times, to experience their prayerful wisdom. This saying reminds us that, while God’s presence is found in all reality, it takes an inner willingness to encounter it.

‘Where is the dwelling of God?’ 

This is the question with which the Rabbi of Kotzk surprised a number of learned men who happened to be visiting him. 

They laughed at him: ‘What a thing to ask! Is not the whole world full of [God’s] glory?’ 

Then he answered his own question:  

‘God dwells wherever man lets him in.’ [4] (Rohr, 2022)

Our gifts, received through the grace of God, are activated by the prompting of the Spirit to build the Freedom of the Kingdom of God.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/12?1 

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. (n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/062922.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?13 

Meditation on Acts 12:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/06/29/421721/ 

Psalms, PSALM 34. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?2 

Rohr, R. (2022, June 29). Shining the Light of Divine Life — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/shining-the-light-of-divine-life-2022-06-29/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jun29a 

Twist, J. (2013, June 28). Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Thinking Faith. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20130628_1.htm 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4?6