The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the promise of restoration to full life in our relationship with Jesus and the action and discipline that the Spirit calls us to that demonstrates our fidelity to the relationship.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah declares how God Gathers the Nations.
* [66:18–21] God summons the neighboring nations to Zion and from among them will send some to far distant lands to proclaim the divine glory. All your kin: Jews in exile. The “gathering of the people and the nations” is an eschatological motif common in the prophetic tradition; cf. 56:8. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 66, n.d.)
Psalm 117 is a Universal Call to Worship
* [Psalm 117] This shortest of hymns calls on the nations to acknowledge God’s supremacy. The supremacy of Israel’s God has been demonstrated to them by the people’s secure existence, which is owed entirely to God’s gracious fidelity. (Psalms, PSALM 117, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews teaches about accepting discipline.
* [12:1–13] Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Heb 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Heb 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Heb 12:3–4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children. (Hebrews 12, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus connects the Narrow Door to salvation and rejection.
* [13:22–30] These sayings of Jesus follow in Luke upon the parables of the kingdom (Lk 13:18–21) and stress that great effort is required for entrance into the kingdom (Lk 13:24) and that there is an urgency to accept the present opportunity to enter because the narrow door will not remain open indefinitely (Lk 13:25). Lying behind the sayings is the rejection of Jesus and his message by his Jewish contemporaries (Lk 13:26) whose places at table in the kingdom will be taken by Gentiles from the four corners of the world (Lk 13:29). Those called last (the Gentiles) will precede those to whom the invitation to enter was first extended (the Jews). See also Lk 14:15–24. (Luke, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)
Jeanne Schuler comments that in today’s gospel the door stays closed. The one who knocks is rebuffed. What goes wrong? Salvation does not swing open with a buzzer. Jesus says some strength is required to enter.
The Lord wants us. We are the offering. The gate is narrow because each person is a wondrous whole that fills the space. We bring what didn’t make it onto the resume: our failures and deep desires. Our hopes and regrets. Our fears and love.
At last, the door opens. We enter only to be sent out as messengers. Isaiah calls us fugitives for God. People from every nation are invited. No one is excluded from salvation. What a surprise when the guests arrive. The A-list is not whom we expected. The lowly and forgotten heed the call. The mailbox for others is full. They miss the invitation. But God does not quit on us.
We keep a knockin’. (Schuler, 2022)
Don Schwager quotes “To enter the narrow door,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"'Wide is the door, and broad the way that brings down many to destruction.' What are we to understand by its broadness? ...A stubborn mind will not bow to the yoke of the law [the commandments of God]. This life is cursed and relaxed in all carelessness. Thrusting from it the divine law and completely unmindful of the sacred commandments, wealth, vices, scorn, pride and the empty imagination of earthly pride spring from it. Those who would enter in by the narrow door must withdraw from all these things, be with Christ and keep the festival with him."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 99) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 13:22-30 comments that as simple as the call to love is, it is also challenging. That’s why Jesus says that the gate is narrow. And the love he talks about is not a matter of conjuring up loving feelings but of dedicating ourselves to acts of kindness, mercy, and compassion. It’s why he tells us not to get caught up in those times we have failed to love but to rely on the mercy of God to heal us and strengthen us for the next challenge.
So keep your eyes focused on that narrow gate, and don’t get distracted by side concerns or questions. Because the more you love, the easier you will make it for other people to pass through that gate as well.
“Jesus, help me to make loving you and your people my highest goal.” (Meditation on Luke 13:22-30, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the universality expressed at the end of Trito Isaiah that indicates an effort to spread the Word of God to all nations after the Exile. God, the loving parent, allows the loneliness consequences of our bad choices to influence our decision to surrender to Love. Friar Jude reminds us of the challenge to avoid hypocrisy in claiming to be Christian but living in an alternate way.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that discernment begins with an authentic trust in God’s presence and guidance.
Faith, as we see in the Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus’ usage of them, is much closer to our words “trust” or “confidence” than it is about believing doctrines to be true. Simply believing doctrines demands almost no ego-surrender or real change of the small self. Holding confidence that God is good, God can be trusted, and God is actively involved in my life is a much more powerful and effective practice. This is the practical power of biblical faith. Faith-filled people are, quite simply, usable for larger purposes because they live in and listen to a much Larger Self….
From my own experience, I know I need a contemplative practice. Some form of the prayer of quiet is necessary to touch me at the unconscious level, the level where deep and lasting transformation occurs. From my place of prayer, I am able to understand more clearly what is mine to do and have the courage to do it. (Rohr, n.d.)
We trust our relationship with Christ to present us with opportunities to transform our weaknesses into strengths as we grow in love, mercy and compassion.
References
Hebrews 12. (n.d.). Hebrews. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12?5
Isaiah, CHAPTER 66. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/66?18
Luke, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13?22
Meditation on Luke 13:22-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/08/21/472188/
Psalms, PSALM 117. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/117?
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/we-are-being-guided-2022-08-21/
Schuler, J. (2022, August 19). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/082122.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Not Risk Being Shut Out. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=aug21
No comments:
Post a Comment