The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to review the sincerity of our intentions as followers of Christ as judged by our action in relationship with others.
The reading from the Second Letter to the Thessalonians follows the thanksgiving with comments on the Judgement at Christ’s Coming.
* [1:3–12] On the thanksgiving, see note on Rom 1:8 and cf. 1 Thes 1:2–10. Paul’s gratitude to God for the faith and love of the Thessalonians (2 Thes 1:3) and his Christian pride in their faithful endurance (2 Thes 1:4–5) contrast with the condemnation announced for those who afflict them, a judgment to be carried out at the parousia (2 Thes 1:6–10), which is described in vivid language drawn from Old Testament apocalyptic. A prayer for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the Thessalonians (2 Thes 1:11–12) completes the section, as is customary in a Pauline letter (cf. 1 Thes 1:2–3). (2 Thessalonians Chapter 1, n.d.)
Psalm 96 offers praise to God Who comes in judgement.
* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus continues the denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees.
* [23:16–22] An attack on the casuistry that declared some oaths binding (one is obligated) and others not (it means nothing) and held the binding oath to be the one made by something of lesser value (the gold; the gift on the altar). Such teaching, which inverts the order of values, reveals the teachers to be blind guides; cf. Mt 15:14. Since the Matthean Jesus forbids all oaths to his disciples (Mt 5:33–37), this woe does not set up a standard for Christian moral conduct, but ridicules the Pharisees on their own terms. (Matthew, CHAPTER 23, n.d.)
Scott McClure asks what is at the core of our followership of Jesus? Why do we do what we do? Or, more to the point, what is the 'what' we really ought to do?
today is the Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which means we can look to Mary for our answer….Mary, our Queen, made the choice to love and bring Jesus into the world. Much like Mary, the Thessalonians are loving one another, bringing Jesus to one another and to their community.
This love is really the 'what' that we are called to do. But too often we are distracted from it. Sometimes, like the Pharisees, we can become too focused on the gold and forget what makes the gold sacred. Our values can become misplaced. Imagine, for instance, if Mary had focused more on readying a proper crib fit for a king than readying her heart. No; Jesus, himself made that mere manger sacred.
Mary, Our Queen, pray for us that, like you, we may always ready our hearts to receive and give Jesus to one another in loving one another. (McClure, n.d.)
Franciscan Media reflects and relates the Story of the Queenship of Mary.
As Saint Paul suggests in Romans 8:28–30, God has predestined human beings from all eternity to share the image of his Son. All the more was Mary predestined to be the mother of Jesus. As Jesus was to be king of all creation, Mary, in dependence on Jesus, was to be queen.
All other titles to queenship derive from this eternal intention of God. As Jesus exercised his kingship on earth by serving his Father and his fellow human beings, so did Mary exercise her queenship. As the glorified Jesus remains with us as our king till the end of time (Matthew 28:20), so does Mary, who was assumed into heaven and crowned queen of heaven and earth. (Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Shutting the Kingdom of Heaven,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"There are those who dare to say that God is not good because of the curses in his law that he places against their sin. And yet the one who is truly the Son of God who gave that same law is also the same one who put blessings into the law. The same God who provides blessings for those who are saved in a similar way applies curses which he placed in the law against sinners. 'Woe,' he says. Woe to you and to those hearing these things who plead the God of the law and yet do not understand that these words were spoken by God in a kindly way. So we understand why Jesus said, 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees.' They believe that it is in fact a good thing to pronounce these curses against sinners. They consider the arrangement of the law's curses to be a part of God's design. The chiding father frequently urges his advice on his son for his improvement - advice that may seem to be a curse. He does not wish the curses to be actualized, however, but rather he desires to avert him from even more such curses."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 23:13-22 comments that we’re not all that different from these misguided scribes and Pharisees. Although we might not think that the disapproval Jesus delivered here applies to us, we too can focus on outward observances while not paying enough attention to what’s in our hearts. But Jesus reminds us that there’s more to faith than performing acts that people can see. There’s a deeper, fuller relationship that God wants to have with us, a relationship based on God’s holiness and his love for all people.
Jesus is extending an invitation to you today. He’s calling out, “Come to me! Don’t reduce the gospel to a checklist. Don’t miss out on the greatness of my love!” So come to the One who loves you. You are the apple of his eye. If you need correction, he will take care of you. He will speak in a way you can hear. Maybe he will warn, “Woe to you!” But more likely, he will gently nudge you in the right direction.
“Jesus, search my heart. Show me today how to enter into your love.” (Meditation on Matthew 23:13-22, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explores evidence that Paul was not likely the author of 2 Thessalonians. Perhaps it is a clear imitation of 1 Thessalonians as evidenced by the level of copying from Paul’s letter. A triangular relationship of individual, community and God underlines the vertical and horizontal components of our relationship. Friar Jude reminds us of the zeal of the Pharisees to bring people to the faith that was misdirected by oaths that valued possessions.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the effect of contemplation is authentic action; if contemplation doesn’t lead to genuine action, then it remains only navel-gazing and self-preoccupation.
I’m convinced that if we stick with it, if we practice contemplation regularly, then we will come to an inner place of compassion—for ourselves and for others. In this place, we notice how much the suffering of the world is our suffering. We become committed to this world, not cerebrally, but from the much deeper perspective of our soul. At this point, we’re indestructible, because in that place we find the peace that the world cannot give. We don’t need to win anymore; we just need to do what we have to do, as naive and simplistic as that might sound. That’s why Augustine could make such an outrageous statement as “Love [God] and do what you will”! [2] People who are living from a truly God-centered place instead of a self-centered place are dangerously free precisely because they are tethered at the center. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are reminded by the Spirit, in contemplation, of Jesus' desire that we seek truth, love, and beauty as we form ethics to guide our journey.
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 23. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/23?13
McClure, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University Online Ministries. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/082222.html
Meditation on Matthew 23:13-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/08/22/472901/
Psalms, PSALM 96. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (n.d.). Franciscan Media. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/queenship-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/contemplation-and-right-action-2022-08-22/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Not Close the Door to God's Kingdom. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=aug22
2 Thessalonians Chapter 1. (n.d.). USCCB Daily Readings. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2thessalonians/1?5
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