The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us to approach our relationship with God with trust in the witness to Christ in works, the Father, and Scripture.
The reading from the Book of Exodus describes disaster averted with chutzpah.
* [32:11–13] Moses uses three arguments to persuade the Lord to remain faithful to the Sinai covenant even though the people have broken it: (1) they are God’s own people, redeemed with God’s great power; (2) God’s reputation will suffer if they are destroyed; (3) the covenant with Abraham still stands. The Lord’s change of mind is a testimony to Israel’s belief in the power of intercessory prayer. (Exodus, CHAPTER 32, n.d.)
Psalm 106 praises confession of Israel’s Sins.
* [Psalm 106] Israel is invited to praise the God whose mercy has always tempered judgment of Israel (Ps 106:1–3). The speaker, on behalf of all, seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin (Ps 106:4–5). Confident of God’s mercy, the speaker invites national repentance (Ps 106:6) by reciting from Israel’s history eight instances of sin, judgment, and forgiveness. The sins are the rebellion at the Red Sea (Ps 106:6–12; see Ex 14–15), the craving for meat in the desert (Ps 106:13–15; see Nm 11), the challenge to Moses’ authority (Ps 106:16–18; see Nm 16), the golden calf episode (Ps 106:19–23; see Ex 32–34), the refusal to take Canaan by the southern route (Ps 106:24–27; see Nm 13–14 and Dt 1–2), the rebellion at Baal-Peor (Ps 106:28–31; see Nm 25:1–10), the anger of Moses (Ps 106:32–33; see Nm 20:1–13), and mingling with the nations (Ps 106:34–47). The last, as suggested by its length and generalized language, may be the sin that invites the repentance of the present generation. The text gives the site of each sin: Egypt (Ps 106:7), the desert (Ps 106:14), the camp (Ps 106:16), Horeb (Ps 106:19), in their tents (Ps 106:25), Baal-Peor (Ps 106:28), the waters of Meribah (Ps 106:32), Canaan (Ps 106:38). (Psalms, PSALM 106, n.d.)
The Gospel of John outlines witnesses to Jesus and describes the unbelief of Jesus’ hearers.
* [5:32] Another: likely the Father, who in four different ways gives testimony to Jesus, as indicated in the verse groupings Jn 5:33–34, 36, 37–38, 39–40.
* [5:35] Lamp: cf. Ps 132:17—“I will place a lamp for my anointed (= David),” and possibly the description of Elijah in Sir 48:1. But only for a while, indicating the temporary and subordinate nature of John’s mission.
* [5:39] You search: this may be an imperative: “Search the scriptures, because you think that you have eternal life through them.”
* [5:41] Praise: the same Greek word means “praise” or “honor” (from others) and “glory” (from God). There is a play on this in Jn 5:44. (John, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)
John Shea, S.J. hopes there are lawyers in Heaven.
We may be like the Israelites who have turned away from God, worshipping other idols such as fame and fortune. Or we may be like the Jewish authorities, believing we are righteous with God while ignoring the reality that we do not have the love of God in us. During this Lenten season, may we turn towards God and hear those who testify on behalf of Christ. And may we join our voices with theirs, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Shea, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Christ is our Master who teaches us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354- 430 A.D.
"There is a Master within Who teaches us. Christ is our Master, and his inspiration and his anointing teaches us. Where his inspiration and his anointing are lacking, it is in vain that words resound in our ears. As Paul the Apostle said: 'I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.' Therefore, whether we plant or whether we water by our words, we are nothing. It is God Who gives the increase; His anointing teaches you all things." (excerpt from Sermon on 1 John 3,13) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 5:31-47 comments that Jesus gave us proofs of his love in today’s Gospel to help us understand and embrace who he is and what he came to do for us. It can be challenging to keep the flame of faith alive in our hearts, and if Jesus’ words shake us up a bit, that can be a good thing. Sometimes we need him to fan the flame so that our faith burns more brightly and so that we can think and act more like him in this world.
So if this passage is a little hard to hear, look at it as an ever-present call from your loving Father, who is always trying to reach you. Always—always—look for the love that is at the heart of every one of God’s messages. And let that love fill your heart and change you.
“Jesus, your word is always true and good and beautiful. Open my heart to receive the love you have for me today.” (Meditation on John 5:31-47, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses Moses' use of chutzpah by Moses in his intercession with God over the molten calf. Our relationship with God as friends in a Covenant may allow more chutzpah in our prayer. Friar Jude notes the witness to Jesus from John the Baptist, the Father, Scriptures, and Jesus works.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Estelle Frankel, a therapist, spiritual director, and teacher of Jewish mysticism, describes how the lessons of Exodus encourage us to practice a “beginner’s mind”. Frankel encourages us to adopt this same “mind” in even the most mundane routines of our own lives.
It’s not just food that requires this attitude. Beginner’s mind is a way of life. Each day we are challenged to see the same familiar people and landscapes with new eyes. Just as the cosmos is created and sustained anew each moment, everything is alive and changing, ourselves included, if we are spiritually awake and paying attention. The manna teaches us that “[humans] do not live on bread alone,” on the physical dimension of reality, “but by every word that issues forth from the divine utterance” (Deuteronomy 8:3). When we see existence as alive with possibility, we come out of Egypt, our personal places of bondage and constriction. (Rohr, 2023)
We are guided by the Spirit to piety, study, and action that gives witness to our life giving relationship with Jesus.
References
Exodus, CHAPTER 32. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/32?7
John, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/5?31
Meditation on John 5:31-47. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/23/636787/
Psalms, PSALM 106. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/106?19
Rohr, R. (2023, March 23). Manna from Heaven: A Lesson in Beginner's Mind. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/manna-from-heaven-a-lesson-in-beginners-mind-2023-03-23/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar23
Shea, J. (2023, March 23). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032323.html
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