The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to look for the evidence of the Divine in the events of love, mercy and compassion in our daily journey.
In the reading from the Book of Tobit, Tobit’s sight is restored.
Psalm 146 offers praise for God’s Help.
* [Psalm 146] A hymn of someone who has learned there is no other source of strength except the merciful God. Only God, not mortal human beings (Ps 146:3–4), can help vulnerable and oppressed people (Ps 146:5–9). The first of the five hymns that conclude the Psalter. (Psalms, PSALM 146, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the Question about David’s Son.
* [12:35–37] Jesus questions the claim of the scribes about the Davidic descent of the Messiah, not to deny it (Mt 1:1; Acts 2:20, 34; Rom 1:3; 2 Tm 2:8) but to imply that he is more than this. His superiority derives from his transcendent origin, to which David himself attested when he spoke of the Messiah with the name “Lord” (Ps 110:1). See also note on Mt 22:41–46. (Mark, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)
Mike Cherney (2020) comments that these days (and this Gospel) have reminded him of the social hierarchies. We are all human beings possessing the right to a certain dignity, still the structure of society and current norms lead to profound differences in the ways in which many are treated.
Heavenly Father,
The television and my smart phone bring the needs of those around me into my sight.
Help me to discern how I can best be a source of support to those who are in need.
The Gospel today focused on your divinity.
Remind me of the spark of divinity that exists within us all.
In today’s epistle St. Paul encouraged Timothy that, despite its trials, the Word provides us with mission worthy of pursuit.
Draw me into service that responds to Your presence in this world. (Cherney, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus is Son of David and Son of God,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.
"We also will ask the Pharisees of today a similar question. They deny that he who was born of the holy Virgin is very Son of God the Father and himself also God. They also divide the one Christ into two sons. Let these people explain to us how David's Son is his Lord, not so much as to human lordship as divine. To sit at the right hand of the Father is the assurance and pledge of supreme glory. Those who share the same throne are equal also in dignity, and those who are crowned with equal honors are understood of course to be equal in nature. To sit by God can signify nothing else than sovereign authority. The throne declares to us that Christ possesses power over everything and supremacy by right of his substance.
"How is the Son of David David's Lord, seated at the right hand of God the Father and on the throne of Deity? Is it not altogether according to the unerring word of the mystery that the Word as God sprung from the very substance of God the Father? Being in his likeness and equal with him, he became flesh. He became man, perfectly and yet without departing from the incomparable excellence of the divine dignities. He continued in that state in which he had always been. He still was God, although he became flesh and in form like us. He is David's Lord therefore according to that which belongs to his divine glory, nature and sovereignty. He is his son according to the flesh." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 137.52) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Tobit 11:5-17 comments that we can develop the gift of spiritual sight as well. When we are waiting for a resolution to some difficulty, we can lift up our eyes to see the bigger picture of God’s never-ending love and care for us. We may be tempted to think that God has forgotten us or doesn’t hear our prayers. But our faith tells us that God does see us, and he is using difficult situations to deepen our trust in him and strengthen our faith in his goodness.
Whatever long-held hope you have—whether for the restoration of a relationship, a physical healing, or the resolution of some circumstance—lift up your eyes to that second screen today. Try to detect the Spirit’s presence as he walks alongside you. Trust that he is working for your good, and praise him for his faithfulness.
“Lord God, help me to love and trust you even as I wait for your plan to unfold in my life.” (Meditation on Tobit 11:5-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the continuation of the story of Tobit as Tobiah and Sarah return to Nineveh and Raphael provides the cure for the father’s blindness. This book of the exiles in Nineveh shows the best and worst of family relationships. Friar Jude notes that the cleverness of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark delights the people and frustrates the leaders with wisdom beyond their understanding.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that many of us say we say we believe in the Trinity—but we really don’t, because we don’t know what to do with it. We can’t even imagine it; all of our metaphors are simply words trying to grab at the reality, at the experience of God that ultimately can’t be verbalized. It can only be experienced. [1]
The medieval mystic Julian of Norwich (1343–c. 1416) is one who experienced the Trinity. She had multiple visions of God or “showings” during a near-death illness. Through CAC friend Mirabai Starr’s translation, Julian describes her encounter with the Trinity:
In the midst of this showing the blessed Trinity also revealed itself to me and filled my heart to overflowing with joy. I realized that this is what it will be like in the world to come, for all beings, and for all time. For the Trinity is God, and God is the Trinity. The Trinity is our creator and our sustainer, our Beloved forever and ever, our endless joy and bliss. I saw all this in the first revelation and in every showing after that. Whenever Christ appeared, I seemed to understand the blessed Trinity, as well.
“Benedicte domine!” I cried. “Blessed be the Lord!” I said, in a full voice, with reverence and intention, in awe and amazement. I was thoroughly astonished that he who is so great—so holy and majestic—would bother to mingle with such a homely creature as I. What I realized was that our Lord Jesus Christ, moved by loving compassion … wanted to bolster me with his comfort. [2] (Rohr, 2023)
We are helped by the prompting of the Spirit to appreciate the Presence of God in the daily events of our lives.
References
Cherney, M. (2023, June 9). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060923.html
Mark, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12?35
Meditation on Tobit 11:5-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/06/09/702755/
Psalms, PSALM 146. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/146?1
Rohr, R. (2023, June 9). The Trinity Can Only Be Experienced — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-trinity-can-only-be-experienced-2023-06-09/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Christ Is the Son of David. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jun9
Tobit, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/11?5
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