The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our resistance to change and our preference for the status quo.
In the reading from the Book of Genesis, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away.
* [21:11] A son of his: Abraham is the father of both boys, but Sarah is the mother only of Isaac. Abraham is very concerned that Ishmael have a sufficient inheritance.
* [21:13] I will make a nation of him also: Ishmael’s descendants are named in 25:12–18.
* [21:14] Placing the child on her back: a reading based on an emendation of the traditional Hebrew text. In the traditional Hebrew text, Abraham put the bread and the waterskin on Hagar’s back, while her son apparently walked beside her. In this way the traditional Hebrew text harmonizes the data of the Priestly source, in which Ishmael would have been at least fourteen years old when Isaac was born; compare 16:16 with 21:5; cf. 17:25. But in the present Elohist (?) story, Ishmael is obviously a little boy, not much older than Isaac; cf. vv. 15, 18. (Genesis, CHAPTER 21, n.d.)
Psalm 34 is praise for deliverance from trouble.
* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Heals the Gadarene Demoniacs
* [8:28] Gadarenes: this is the reading of Codex Vaticanus, supported by other important textual witnesses. The original reading of Codex Sinaiticus was Gazarenes, later changed to Gergesenes, and a few versions have Gerasenes. Each of these readings points to a different territory connected, respectively, with the cities Gadara, Gergesa, and Gerasa (modern Jerash). There is the same confusion of readings in the parallel texts, Mk 5:1 and Lk 8:26; there the best reading seems to be “Gerasenes,” whereas “Gadarenes” is probably the original reading in Matthew. The town of Gadara was about five miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, and Josephus (Life 9:42) refers to it as possessing territory that lay on that sea. Two demoniacs: Mark (5:1–20) has one.
* [8:29] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Before the appointed time: the notion that evil spirits were allowed by God to afflict human beings until the time of the final judgment is found in Enoch 16:1 and Jubilees 10:7–10.
* [8:30] The tending of pigs, animals considered unclean by Mosaic law (Lv 11:6–7), indicates that the population was Gentile. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Gladyce Janky asks “as you read this reflection, what else do you notice about God’s fidelity and compassion toward His people – in Sarah’s time and today?”
This reading highlights some of the attributes of God. God is the creator of infinite possibilities. Salvation history cannot be thwarted by my actions or failure to act because God will prevail despite humanity. Everyone is connected and has a place in God’s plan, even the children of enslaved people or “less desirable” members of society. God does not make promises contingent upon faith. Our failure to trust God does not cause God to turn away from His promises And, God does respond to the cries of the poor, wandering without hope in the wilderness. (Janky, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Christ is triumphant over the forces of demons,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).
"[Jesus] said to them, 'Go!' The foul-smelling animals are delivered up, not at the will of the demons but to show how savage the demons can become against humans. They ardently seek to destroy and dispossess all that is, acts, moves and lives. They seek the death of people. The ancient enmity of deep-rooted wrath and malice is in store for the human race. Demons do not give up easily unless they are forcibly overcome. They are doing the harm they are ordered to do. Therefore the foul-smelling animals are delivered up that it may be made clear to the demons that they have permission to enter the swine but not to enter humans. It is by our vices that we empower them to do harm. Similarly, by our power of faith we tread on the necks of demons. They become subject to us under Christ who is triumphant." (excerpt from SERMONS 16.8)
[Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD) was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 8:28-34 comments that we can view this passage—and many others—as evidence that Jesus didn’t come into the world to tell us that everything’s okay. He came to change us, and change is always challenging. But just as the townspeople had become accustomed to the demoniacs, we can become accustomed to sinful patterns that have taken root in us.
But you don’t have to turn Jesus away as the Gadarenes did. If there is some sin in your life he is asking you to deal with, go ahead and take a step toward making that change. It may feel as if you’re venturing into uncertain territory, but that’s what walking in faith is all about. It’s trusting that the One who created you and who saved you continues to hold you in his love. And that’s something that will never change!
“Jesus, help me to embrace the change you desire for me.” (Meditation on Matthew 8:28-34, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explores the desire of Sarah to expel Hagar and Ishmael, who was playing with Isaac. Matthew and Mark reveal similar accounts of Jesus expulsion of legions of demons in Gentile territory. Friar Jude is reminded of our fear of change and how it limits our growth in life.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that Jesus’ cross reveals God’s solidarity with suffering.
The “crucified God” as personified in Jesus revealed that God is always on the side of suffering wherever it is found, including the wounded and dying troops on both sides in every kind of war, and both the victims and the predators of this world; frankly, this pleases very few people. Our resistance to suffering is an entire industry now, perhaps symbolized by the total power of the gun lobby and the permanent war economy in America, the fear of any profit sharing with the poor, or the need to be constantly entertained. Maybe that is why some have said that the foundational virtue underlying all others is courage (cor-agere, an action of the heart). It takes immense courage to walk in solidarity with the suffering of others, and even our own. [1]
If God is somehow participating in human suffering, instead of just passively tolerating it and observing it, that changes everything—at least for those who are willing to “gaze” contemplatively. All humble, suffering souls learn this from God, but the Christian Scriptures named it and revealed it publicly and dramatically in Jesus. (Rohr, 2023)
We are invited by the prompting of the Spirit to accept change and transformation through the events of our daily life.
References
Genesis, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/21?5
Janky, G. (2023, July 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/070523.htm
Matthew, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?28
Meditation on Matthew 8:28-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/07/05/727445/
Psalms, PSALM 34. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?7
Rohr, R. (2023, July 5). Divine Solidarity with Suffering — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/divine-solidarity-with-suffering-2023-07-05/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Frees Those Who Are Bound Up. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jul5
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