Working in Truth and Trust

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our experience of needing to trust the guidance of the Spirit in times of persecution and peril.

Signs of Rejection

In the reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, He denounces his persecutors.

* [20:7] You seduced me: Jeremiah accuses the Lord of having deceived him; cf. 15:18. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 20, n.d.)

Psalm 18 is a Royal Thanksgiving for Victory.

* [Psalm 18] A royal thanksgiving for a military victory, duplicated in 2 Sm 22. Thanksgiving Psalms are in essence reports of divine rescue. The Psalm has two parallel reports of rescue, the first told from a heavenly perspective (Ps 18:5–20), and the second from an earthly perspective (Ps 18:36–46). The first report adapts old mythic language of a cosmic battle between sea and rainstorm in order to depict God’s rescue of the Israelite king from his enemies. Each report has a short hymnic introduction (Ps 18:2–4, 32–36) and conclusion (Ps 18:21–31, 47–50). (Psalms, PSALM 18, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus exhorts us to believe in the works.

* [10:34] This is a reference to the judges of Israel who, since they exercised the divine prerogative to judge (Dt 1:17), were called “gods”; cf. Ex 21:6, besides Ps 82:6 from which the quotation comes.

* [10:36] Consecrated: this may be a reference to the rededicated altar at the Hanukkah feast; see note on Jn 10:22.

* [10:41] Performed no sign: this is to stress the inferior role of John the Baptist. The Transjordan topography recalls the great witness of John the Baptist to Jesus, as opposed to the hostility of the authorities in Jerusalem. (John, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)

Andy Alexander S.J. comments that on this Friday, the week before the Friday we call "Good," we have the invitation to reflect upon the approaching Paschal Mystery.

Jesus came to be among us, as one of us. He was not shielded from the human encounter with suffering. No one can say "He doesn't understand my feelings." He knew rejection, alienation, marginalization, contempt and the deep human struggle with the brokenness of our world, and the faith tradition that was supposed to welcome him. He takes our human experience and redeems it by being in it with us. It is comforting and liberating good news to accept and embrace the fact that we are never alone, in whatever discourages us, causes us grief, defeats us, or leads to death in any way. As we encounter and enter into the drama involved in the story we'll re-celebrate this coming week, we are always aware that "His death is our rising from the dead." (Alexander, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The sacrifice of Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Even though the man Christ Jesus, in the form of God together with the Father with whom He is one God, accepts our sacrifice, nonetheless He has chosen in the form of a servant to be the sacrifice rather than to accept it. Therefore, He is the priest Himself Who presents the offering, and He Himself is what is offered." (excerpt from City of God, 10,20) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 10:31-42 comments that there was one final “work” that Jesus would perform that would prove beyond all shadow of doubt that he is the Son of God and that he has the Father’s authority. The crowds hadn’t seen it yet, but the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44) would give them a clue. It is Jesus’ resurrection!

We have the benefit of knowing that Jesus, though crucified, has risen from the dead. But there might be times when that knowledge doesn’t affect our day-to-day attitudes. When we’re going through difficulty, for instance, encouraging words may ring hollow and memories of God’s faithfulness might fade. We struggle to believe. That’s the time to fix our eyes on Jesus’ works, most specifically his resurrection. Because the resurrection is the culmination of all the mighty deeds Jesus performed in his lifetime. It provides the proof that we can hang onto. It can help us to believe.

“Jesus, enflame my faith, not just in the many miracles you performed, but in your own resurrection from the dead. Help me believe that you are Lord and God!” (Meditation on John 10:31-42, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the call of Jeremiah in a lamentation where he calls on the Lord after he is threatened with death by his persecutors. Jesus makes Himself equal with God as He declares I Am! Friar Jude reminds us that some who refuse to see, reject Jesus.

James Finley shares how he brought his powerlessness to Jesus after having been abused by both his father during childhood and later by a priest he trusted. He offers this prayer and blessing for us.

May each of us learn in moments when everything seems lost that our unknown tomorrows will bring yet more perils from which will arise yet more unforeseeable blessings. And that our providential journey through all these experiences is an ongoing dress rehearsal for our approaching death, in which our utter demise will open out upon our eternal fulfillment and liberation. (Finley, 2023)

We have the reassurance of Jesus, through the Spirit, that following the Way in difficult times is the path to fullness of Life.

References

Alexander, A. (2023, March 31). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/033123.html 

Finley, J. (2023, March 31). Trusting Jesus with Our Vulnerability — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/trusting-jesus-with-our-vulnerability-2023-03-31/ 

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 20. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/20?10 

John, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/10?31 

Meditation on John 10:31-42. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/31/641959/ 

Psalms, PSALM 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/18?2 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar31 

Eternal Covenant

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the eternal Presence of God that we can connect with in the present moment.

Remember Covenant

The reading from the Book of Genesis presents the Covenant with Israel

* [17:1–27] The Priestly source gathers the major motifs of the story so far and sets them firmly within a covenant context; the word “covenant” occurs thirteen times. There are links to the covenant with Noah (v. 1 = 6:9; v. 7 = 9:9; v. 11 = 9:12–17). In this chapter, vv. 1–8 promise progeny and land; vv. 9–14 are instructions about circumcision; vv. 15–21 repeat the promise of a son to Sarah and distinguish this promise from that to Hagar; vv. 22–27 describe Abraham’s carrying out the commands. The Almighty: traditional rendering of Hebrew El Shaddai, which is P’s favorite designation of God in the period of the ancestors. Its etymology is uncertain, but its root meaning is probably “God, the One of the Mountains.” (Genesis, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)

Psalm 105 praises God’s Faithfulness to Israel.

* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants. (Psalms, PSALM 105, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, the Pharisees debate Jesus and Abraham.

* [8:53] Are you greater than our father Abraham?: cf. Jn 4:12.

* [8:56] He saw it: this seems a reference to the birth of Isaac (Gn 17:7; 21:6), the beginning of the fulfillment of promises about Abraham’s seed.

* [8:57] The evidence of the third-century Bodmer Papyrus P75 and the first hand of Codex Sinaiticus indicates that the text originally read: “How can Abraham have seen you?”

* [8:58] Came to be, I AM: the Greek word used for “came to be” is the one used of all creation in the prologue, while the word used for “am” is the one reserved for the Logos. (John, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Maureen McCann Waldron comments that the challenge is not to analyze and over-think as the religious leaders did.  We might be tempted to ask, “How can you possibly offer us this gift?” but Jesus invites us to simply trust in it and embrace this gift fully. Like the Pharisees, we can debate with our ever-loving God, the giver of our lives, but that challenge to God comes from our own pride and need for independence – or maybe just plain stubbornness.

Loving Jesus, help me to stop struggling for understanding of what you offer.  May I relax into the love and freedom you offer me.  Let me carry that love to those around me and let me especially become more aware of those in my world who are suffering. Guide me to make these last days of Lent ones that will open my heart to you even more. (McCann, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ died that you might live,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"For you Christ allowed Himself to be crucified, to teach you humility. He was alive, and you were dead. He died that you might live. God vanquished death so that death might not overcome human beings." (excerpt from Sermon on John 2,4;14,13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 8:51-59 asks how can an understanding of this priceless gift of everlasting life affect the way we look at death?

It can drive away fear..

It can put loneliness to flight. 

It can provide clear direction, 

How richly our generous God blessed us on the day of our baptism! He has his own everlasting life with us! Stay close to him, treasure his love and his word, and let them give you hope beyond the grave.

“Jesus, thank you for uniting me with you on the day of my baptism. I look forward to living with you forever.” (Meditation on John 8:51-59, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the second form of the Covenant with Abram that references the land of Israel. The glory of God is shown in the love expressed by Jesus on the Cross. Friar Jude reminds us of the preexistence of Jesus as He proclaims I AM.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Writer Anne Lamott who chronicles her surprising conversion to Christianity while addicted to drugs and alcohol. Lamott reflects on praying from the place of desperation and surrender:

My belief is that when you’re telling the truth, you’re close to God. If you say to God, “I am exhausted and depressed beyond words, and I don’t like You at all right now, and I recoil from most people who believe in You,” that might be the most honest thing you’ve ever said. If you told me you had said to God, “It is all hopeless, and I don’t have a clue if You exist, but I could use a hand,” it would almost bring tears to my eyes, tears of pride in you, for the courage it takes to get real—really real. It would make me want to sit next to you at the dinner table.  

So prayer is our sometimes real selves trying to communicate with the Real, with Truth, with the Light. [2] (Rohr, 2023)

We are reminded by the Spirit that I AM is present in the present moment to reaffirm trust, hope, and love as our practice for Life.

References

Genesis, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/17?3 

John, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8? 

McCann, M. (2023, March 30). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/033023.html 

Meditation on John 8:51-59. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/30/641376/ 

Psalms, PSALM 105. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105?4 

Rohr, R. (2023, March 30). Here in Dust and Dirt — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/here-in-dust-and-dirt-2023-03-30/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Before Abraham Was, I Am. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar30