The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today identify the nature of the sacrifice we are called to accept as the Spirit leads us to transformation of our environment.
The reading from the Book of Sirach shares the Law and Sacrifices.
* [35:1–26] Keeping the commandments of the law and avoiding injustice constitute sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God (vv. 1–5). Offerings also should be made to him, cheerfully and generously; these he repays sevenfold (vv. 6–13). Extortion from widows and orphans is injustice, and God will hear their cries (vv. 14–22a). Punishing the proud and the merciless and coming to the aid of the distressed, he requites everyone according to their deeds (vv. 22b–26).
* [35:3] Fine flour, together with oil and frankincense, was a prescribed offering to God; cf. Lv 2:1–3.
* [35:16] Cf. Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17. The divine impartiality is paradoxical, for it is tilted toward the poor. (Sirach, CHAPTER 35, n.d.)
Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.
* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark declares that from the goodness of God, we receive a hundredfold.
* [10:23–27] In the Old Testament wealth and material goods are considered a sign of God’s favor (Jb 1:10; Ps 128:1–2; Is 3:10). The words of Jesus in Mk 10:23–25 provoke astonishment among the disciples because of their apparent contradiction of the Old Testament concept (Mk 10:24, 26). Since wealth, power, and merit generate false security, Jesus rejects them utterly as a claim to enter the kingdom. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift (Mk 10:27). (Mark, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available, today, at time of publication.
Don Schwager quotes “The spiritual sense of leaving the family,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.
"Do not let this passage trouble you. Put it side by side with the still harder saying Jesus delivered in another place in the words, 'Whoever hates not father, and mother, and children, and his own life besides, cannot be my disciple' (Luke 14:26). Note that the God of peace, who exhorts us to love our enemies, does not arbitrarily require us literally to hate or abandon those dearest to us. But if we are to love our enemies, it must be in accordance with right reason that, by analogy we should also love our nearest relatives... But insofar as one's father, or son, or brother, becomes for you a hindrance to faith or an impediment to godly life, one should then not collude with that temptation. Attend to the spiritual, rather than the fleshly, meaning of the command." (excerpt from SALVATION OF THE RICH MAN 22.13) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12 comments that our reward probably won’t be a material reward like a pay raise or a new car. That’s not what God’s love looks like. He isn’t a God of transactions and spreadsheets. The Lord always repays. Sevenfold. That’s quite a promise!
There’s no doubt that life can be hard, and being cheerful can be even harder. Jesus knows this even better than we do. So when he promises to reward your efforts, you can believe him. It’s worth the effort. He is worth the effort!
“Lord, help me to face each situation with a joyful, cheerful heart.” (Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the discovery of a Hebrew copy of Sirach that corrected the understanding that it had only been written in Greek in the late 2nd Century BCE. When we go to Church we celebrate righteousness now and in the future. Friar Jude notes that this is not a passage of the Gospel of Prosperity but an affirmation of the joy and meaning of a life that shares in the Cross.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, points to the witness of the prophets to demonstrate how the Holy Spirit works within to wake us up to who we are.
Until an objective inner witness (the Holy Spirit; see Romans 8:16) emerges that looks back at us with utter honesty, we cannot speak of being awake or conscious. That is at the heart of what we mean by “waking up.” Until then, most of us are on cruise control and cannot see our egocentricity at work.
Unfortunately, people so fear a negative and judgmental critic that they never seem to access the “Compassionate Witness” promised us in the gift of the Holy Spirit (see John 14:16–26). How wonderful that John calls the Holy Spirit parakletos (Greek for “defense attorney”). It is painful but necessary to be critical of your own system, whatever it is. But do know it will never make you popular. [1] (Rohr, 2023)
Theologian Grace Ji Sun-Kim describes how the Holy Spirit seeks transformation for all.
Christ is portrayed as a “life-giving Spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). The believer has a responsibility to live her life in the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:4–6, 14). This responsibility should not be taken lightly, as one should not ignore the depth of the Spirit’s power. Walking in the power of the Spirit is life-changing, as the Spirit becomes an agent through which transformations can occur. [2] (Rohr, 2023)
We are called to a life of meaning and joy as workers with Christ, guided by the Spirit, to renew the face of the earth.
References
Mark, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?
Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/30/694432/
Psalms, PSALM 50. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?5
Rohr, R. (2023, May 30). Waking up Our Conscience — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/waking-up-our-conscience-2023-05-30/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). We Have Left Everything and Followed You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may30
Sirach, CHAPTER 35. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/35?1
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