The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to trust in God to provide reassurance of His Presence as we plan our response to the “signs of the times” in our environment.
In the reading from the Book of the Prophet, Isaiah reassures King Ahaz.
* [7:8–9] God had chosen and made a commitment to David’s dynasty and his capital city Jerusalem, not to Rezin and his capital Damascus, nor to the son of Remaliah and his capital Samaria (2 Sm 7:12–16; Ps 2:6; 78:68–72; 132:11–18). Within sixty-five years…nation: this text occurs at the end of v. 8 in the Hebrew. Ahaz would not have been reassured by so distant a promise; the phrase is probably a later addition. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 48 praises the glory and strength of Zion.
* [Psalm 48] A Zion hymn, praising the holy city as the invincible dwelling place of God. Unconquerable, it is an apt symbol of God who has defeated all enemies. After seven epithets describing the city (Ps 48:2–3), the Psalm describes the victory by the Divine Warrior over hostile kings (Ps 48:4–8). The second half proclaims the dominion of the God of Zion over all the earth (Ps 48:9–12) and invites pilgrims to announce that God is eternally invincible like Zion itself (Ps 48:13–14). (Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew declares woes to unrepentant cities.
* [11:23] Capernaum’s pride and punishment are described in language taken from the taunt song against the king of Babylon (Is 14:13–15). (Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
Carol Zuegner comments that in our own lives, we know better, but still we repeat patterns of actions, whether by commission or omission, that hurt those around us. Jesus wants us to follow the commandments, especially to love one another as he has loved us.
But why am I wasting time mired in my own misdeeds? Why do I not repent and realize that path is the one I need to take? We have seen and read Jesus’ mighty deeds. We know he became human to make that ultimate sacrifice for us. Let me gain strength from that love and compassion and use that strength to show love and compassion in my own life. Let me hear the entreaty from Jesus and take that first step on the path to repentance. (Zuegner, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Even after miracles they did not repent,” by Jerome (347-420 AD).
"Our Savior laments Chorazin and Bethsaida, cities of Galilee, because after such great miracles and acts of goodness they did not repent. Even Tyre and Sidon, cities that surrendered to idolatry and other vices, are preferred to them. Tyre and Sidon are preferred for the reason that although they trampled down the law, still Chorazin and Bethsaida, after they transgressed natural and written law, cared little for the miracles that were performed among them." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.11.22.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:20-24 considers why Jesus spoke so sternly. He loved them! He wanted them to come to repentance and escape the devastating consequences of their sin. He kept calling them to believe in him because he didn’t want them to miss out on the gift of salvation and eternal life.
There are plenty of other challenging passages like this one in the Scriptures. But when you encounter them, consider the context. Then try to see them through the lens of love. God loves you and will do anything to get your attention when you stray, even if it means a harsh rebuke. Yet as he welcomed the people who repented, he will do the same for you when you return to him. “Jesus, help me open my heart to you as I read your word, even the parts that challenge me.” (Meditation on Matthew 11:20-24, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out the political situation faced by King Ahaz in Jerusalem. The towns cursed by Jesus remind us that sometimes familiarity breeds contempt. Friar Jude alerts us to some of the everyday miracles that call us to respond with conversion.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that there seem to be two typical ways to avoid conversion or transformation, two diversionary tactics that we use to avoid holding pain: fight and flight.
Both fight people and flight people are subject to hypocrisy, projection, or just plain illusion: “We are right; you are wrong. The world is divided into black and white, and we alone know who is good and who is bad.”
“Resurrected” people are the ones who have found a better way by prayerfully bearing witness against injustice and evil—while also agreeing compassionately to hold their own complicity in that same evil. It is not over there—it is here. It is our problem, not theirs. The Risen Christ, not accidentally, still carries the wounds in his hands and side. The question becomes: How can I know the greater truth, work through the anger, and still be a life-giving presence?
That is the Third Way beyond fight or flight, which in a certain sense includes both. It’s fighting in a new way from a God-centered place within, and fleeing from the quick, egocentric response. Only God can hold such an act together within us. (Rohr, n.d.)
The prompting of the Spirit that identifies the transformation required in our society guides our response to the need for love, compassion, and mercy that enables change.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/7?1
Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?20
Meditation on Matthew 11:20-24. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/07/12/440566/
Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/48?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Zealots and the Pharisees. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-zealots-and-the-pharisees-2022-07-12/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Will You Be Exalted to Heaven? Daily Scripture net. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jul12
Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071222.html
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