The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reject conflict and contention in our relationships with others.
The reading from the Second Book of Kings describes the death of the heirs of Ahaziah at the hands of Athaliah who reigns over Judah until Jehoiada anoints the child Joash.
* [11:17] There are two covenants. One is between the Lord as one party and the people, headed by the king, as the other. The second covenant, between king and people, is comparable to that made between David and the elders of Israel at Hebron (2 Sm 5:3). (2 Kings, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Psalm 132 praises the Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion.
* [Psalm 132] A song for a liturgical ceremony in which the ark, the throne of Israel’s God, was carried in procession to the Temple. The singer asks that David’s care for the proper housing of the ark be regarded with favor (Ps 132:1–5), and tells how it was brought to Jerusalem (Ps 132:6–10). There follows God’s promise of favor to the Davidic dynasty (Ps 132:11–12) and to Zion (Ps 132:13–17). The transfer of the ark to the tent in Jerusalem is described in 2 Sm 6. (Psalms, PSALM 132, n.d.)
In the Sermon on the Mount, from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches concerning treasures and the sound eye.
* [6:19–34] The remaining material of this chapter is taken almost entirely from Q. It deals principally with worldly possessions, and the controlling thought is summed up in Mt 6:24: the disciple can serve only one master and must choose between God and wealth (mammon). See further the note on Lk 16:9. * [6:22–23] In this context the parable probably points to the need for the disciple to be enlightened by Jesus’ teaching on the transitory nature of earthly riches. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)
Ed Morse comments that, like Athalia, sometimes our perceptions become clouded. Empty promises of happiness can fool us into taking a path that can only deliver misery. Such are the tactics of our adversary. But thanks be to God that he can save us from that path!
The world may scoff, but Jesus offers the only path that works. Of course, we will also find suffering and difficulty on that path. God can turn these things into good in forming us and fitting us for His kingdom. The path to perdition delivers suffering and difficulty, too, and no such promise.
Lord, help us to trust our lives to you with the end in mind. Shape our perceptions and open us to the cues we need for our formation, knowing that nothing is wasted in the economy of the kingdom of heaven if we trust these things to you. Thanks be to God. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Seeking the right intention,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.
"We know that all our works are pure and pleasing in the sight of God if they are performed with a single heart. This means that they are performed out of charity and with an intention that is fixed on heaven. For 'love is the fulfillment of the law' (Romans 13:10). Therefore in this passage we ought to understand the eye as the intention with which we perform all our actions. If this intention is pure and upright and directing its gaze where it ought to be directed, then unfailingly all our works are good works, because they are performed in accordance with that intention. And by the expression 'whole body,' Christ designated all those works that he reproves and that he commands us to put to death. For the apostle also designates certain works as our 'members.' 'Therefore,' Paul writes, 'mortify your members which are on earth: fornication, uncleanness, covetousness' (Colossians 3:5), and all other such things." (excerpt from SERMON ON THE MOUNT 2.13.45) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 comments that after Elijah was taken up to heaven, a righteous king reclaimed the throne and got rid of idolatry. Great news? Well, not really. Before long, Israel and their leaders went back to their sinful ways.
Do you worry that you will fail in what God is calling you to do or maybe that you already have failed? Remember, God is more interested in faithfulness than success. By staying close to him, even in the face of discouragement, you will come to know him more. And with that deepening relationship will come the hope, joy, and peace that Elijah experienced. “Lord, give me confident hope in your plans for this world.” (Meditation on 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explores the wicked attack of Athaliah who kills all the candidates for king except Joash. He identifies her as a daughter of Azab and Jezebel who is also bringing wickedness into the lives of the leaders of Judah. Friar Jude reminds us to build up goodness in our lives as informed by the Sermon on the Mount using Christ as our criteria for judging reality.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes St. Francis of Assisi ’s commitment to peacemaking. Feuds and vendettas were so common in Francis’s day that few people went abroad unarmed. Yet Francis forbade his followers to fight, carry weapons, or even swear allegiance to any noble. His teaching and ministry were based on Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:9, which says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
As you announce peace with your mouth, make sure that greater peace is in your hearts. Let no one be provoked to anger or scandal through you, but may everyone be drawn to peace, kindness, and harmony through your gentleness. For we have been called to this: to heal the wounded, bind up the broken, and recall the erring. [3] (Rohr, 2022)
We contemplate Jesus' instruction to seek the help of the Spirit to focus our gaze on action to build up the Body of Christ.
References
Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/061722.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6?19
Meditation on 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/06/17/412702/
Psalms, PSALM 132. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/132?11
Rohr, R. (2022, June 17). Making Peace in a Time of War — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/making-peace-in-a-time-of-war-2022-06-17/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lay up Treasure in Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jun17
2 Kings, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/11?1
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