The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the help and Wisdom of the Spirit as we aspire to work for good.
In the reading from the First Book of Kings, Solomon seeks a wise and discerning mind.
Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans expresses God’s Indomitable Love in Christ in declaration that all things work together for good.
* [8:28–30] These verses outline the Christian vocation as it was designed by God: to be conformed to the image of his Son, who is to be the firstborn among many brothers (Rom 8:29). God’s redemptive action on behalf of the believers has been in process before the beginning of the world. Those whom God chooses are those he foreknew (Rom 8:29) or elected. Those who are called (Rom 8:30) are predestined or predetermined. These expressions do not mean that God is arbitrary. Rather, Paul uses them to emphasize the thought and care that God has taken for the Christian’s salvation.
* [8:28] We know that all things work for good for those who love God: a few ancient authorities have God as the subject of the verb, and some translators render: “We know that God makes everything work for good for those who love God….”
* [8:29] Image: while man and woman were originally created in God’s image (Gn 1:26–27), it is through baptism into Christ, the image of God (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15), that we are renewed according to the image of the Creator (Col 3:10). (Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents three Parables about treasures new and old.
Candice Tucci, OSF, reminds us that with faith in the Word of God, we know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
I have had a rich life of listening to the Spirit and moving from ministry to ministry, as an itinerant Franciscan while seeking the treasure that I would give everything to hold. I did find a treasure in a field. Rather symbolic. It was an eagle feather! I still have this feather for 50+ years now. Have you ever found something that is symbolic of your love and life? Perhaps a ring, a pearl, or a simple shell washed up on shore?
The treasure, the Love that one holds, is one we are to let go of and give only to have it returned a hundred fold! The whole field, a string of pearls, a beach filled with gifts from the sea are given in return. (Tucci, 2023)
Don Schwager presents a reflection entitled “The Surpassing Treasure of God's Kingdom."
The Word Among Us Meditation is on Matthew 13:44-52.
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts for today. The book of Kings has Solomon at a shrine asking for wisdom to lead people in the way that God intends. Wisdom is knowing God’s will and things about the earth. Romans 8:28 declares the Providence of God. Predestined means we were created for a destiny to be with God forever. We have an invitation but God cannot force us to accept. We are offered this relationship.In Matthew, the phrase `Kingdom of Heaven” is used to replace “Kingdom Of God'' Give everything to live in life with Law and Love of God The judgment at the end depends on our choices. Tradition is good and His message should also be lived because God is beyond our understanding. Be surprised everyday and open to the new.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that our ability to choose nonviolence is inextricably tied to our own inner healing.
I think that was the great disappointment with political activism and even many of the nonviolent movements of the 1960s and 70s in the U.S. It was not really transformation. It wasn’t really coming from what we would call—to use a very old-fashioned, religious word—holiness. Such action was often not coming from holiness, but simply the intellect and will, which are not the transformed self.
What we’re seeking is pure or clear action. When we find inside ourselves the positive place of communion and holiness, there’s nothing to react to. Such action can be very firm, because it comes from that place where we know what’s real, what’s good, what’s true, and what’s beautiful. The giveaway is that the energy at that point is entirely positive. That’s when we know it’s prayer energy and that is what I think it means to be a person of true nonviolence. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are invited by God to a destiny to live fully in relationship with God in gratitude for the gifts of the Spirit that are activated in our surrender to the Will of God.
References
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved July 30, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/nonviolence-begins-within-2023-07-30/
Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?28
Tucci, C. (2023, July 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 30, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/073023.html
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