The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today underline our need to respond to the prompting of the Spirit to strive for unity in the action that results from our contemplation of the Grace received as followers of Christ.
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians celebrates unity in the Body of Christ.
* [4:1–16] A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)
Psalm 24 is a prayer on entrance into the Temple.
* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke advocates interpreting the time and settling with opponents.
* [12:59] The last penny: Greek, lepton, a very small amount. Mt 5:26 has for “the last penny” the Greek word kodrantēs (Latin quadrans, “farthing”). (Luke, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)
Rev. Richard Gabuzda comments that St. Paul invites us to start with who we are and then to move to what I do. Specifically, St. Paul says, “Live in the manner worthy of the call you have received.”
St. Paul gives us practical means to do just that: “live. . . with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love.” Live with humility because we have been chosen, not because of our goodness, our worthiness, but out of God’s graciousness. Live with gentleness because God is that way with us, even when we need correction. Live with patience because God is patient with us, forgiving us again and again. Bear with one another through love, put up with one another’s faults and foibles, by asking to receive the heart of Jesus who “puts up” with us by exercising his immense divine love, always extending his hand of mercy.(Gabuzda, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).
"We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6 comments that as much as our unity is a gift from God, however, we still need to work to preserve it. That’s where esprit de corps comes in. When we’re trying to live in the Spirit, with each person using the gifts God has given him toward a greater good, we can remain united. We can put aside our differences and work toward something meaningful together: his mission on earth. It’s something much more important than watching our sports team win or successfully completing a group project at work or school. We are building God’s eternal kingdom and pushing back the darkness of sin!
The devil wants to isolate us, but as we work together, we can overcome him and his efforts to divide us. It doesn’t matter whether you’re evangelizing, serving the poor, or just setting up chairs for a meeting. When people see members of the Church loving and serving Jesus as one, they will take notice!
“Lord, thank you for bringing me into your family. Help me to preserve that unity as I join my brothers and sisters in building your kingdom!” (Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the parenesis in Ephasians that declares that the once separate Jews and Gentiles are now united in the Body of Christ. The action of seeking settlement before appearing to the judge has been connected to Purgatory, and our healing to let go of selfishness. Friar Jude addresses the completeness of Jesus' Sacrifice.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest Adam Bucko who believes that contemplation is a universal call that prepares us to seek and do justice. He shares several steps for those beginning a path of contemplative action.
First commit to engaging with the world from a place of prayer, and not ideology; this gives you a felt sense of interconnectedness of all life in God and prevents othering.
Second, commit to doing the work of coming to terms with your social location and how it relates to systemic racism, poverty, militarism, ecological devastation, and some of the distorted moral narratives that are so prevalent. Are there privileges you need to acknowledge or let go of? Are there commitments you need to reevaluate?
Third, remember that talking about justice is not the same as doing justice, so simplify your life and commit to ethical living by buying all your necessities in socially responsible, ecologically minded, and human-scale companies. . . .
Practice works of mercy, making sure that your hands are touching the hands of someone who is suffering, [and] include Mother Earth in that as well.
Join a social movement, because changing your spending habits or serving others is only part of what is needed. Our lives and relationships do not happen in a vacuum but rather within institutions and systems that have their own crooked logic and are in need of massive changes. . (Rohr, n.d.). .
Our insight and intuition is activated by the Spirit to motivate and guide our acts of love, compassion, mercy, and kindness in Jesus name.
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?1
Gabuzda, R. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102122.html
Luke, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?
Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/10/21/516374/
Psalms, PSALM 24. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/justice-is-love-in-action-2022-10-21/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heed the Warning Signs before It Is Too Late. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=oct21
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