The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider how our faith and practice is reflected in the relationships we have on our journey.
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The reading from the First Letter of Timothy celebrates receiving mercy.
* [1:15] This saying is trustworthy: this phrase regularly introduces in the Pastorals a basic truth of early Christian faith; cf. 1 Tm 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tm 2:11; Ti 3:8.
* [1:17] King of ages: through Semitic influence, the Greek expression could mean “everlasting king”; it could also mean “king of the universe.” (1 Timothy, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 113 praises God the Helper of the Needy.
* [Psalm 113] A hymn exhorting the congregation to praise God’s name, i.e., the way in which God is present in the world; the name is mentioned three times in Ps 113:1–3. The divine name is especially honored in the Temple (Ps 113:1) but its recognition is not limited by time (Ps 113:2) and space (Ps 113:3), for God is everywhere active (Ps 113:4–5) especially in rescuing the lowly faithful (Ps 113:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 113 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches using a Tree and Its Fruit and The Two Foundations.
* [6:20–49] Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” is the counterpart to Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount” (Mt 5:1–7:27). It is addressed to the disciples of Jesus, and, like the sermon in Matthew, it begins with beatitudes (Lk 6:20–22) and ends with the parable of the two houses (Lk 6:46–49). (Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that our life, the way we live our life, and the impact we have on our community and others provide testament on our behalf as to the goodness of our person. We cannot simply become good people by our own will; we need the grace of God. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to flourish in our hearts. Our words and actions are the fruits of our hearts.
God of mercy and compassion,
may our lives be deeply rooted in you
so we may bear good fruits and remain unwavering.
Amen. (Amu, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Scripture is the field where we build our house,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"In a certain place in the Gospel, the Lord says that the wise hearer of his word ought to be like a man who, wishing to build, digs rather deeply until he comes to bedrock. There without anxiety he establishes what he builds against the onrush of a flood, so that when it comes, rather it may be pushed back by the solidity of the building than that house collapse by the impact. Let us consider the Scripture of God as being a field where we want to build something. Let us not be lazy or content with the surface. Let us dig more deeply until we come to rock: 'Now the rock was Christ' (1 Corinthians 10:4)." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 23.1) (Schwager, 2022)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Timothy 1:15-17 comments on how vast and glorious our God is! His beauty and goodness exceed our ability to comprehend. No cathedral or hymn, no religious painting or sculpture, could even come close to truly capturing the glory of God. After a glimpse of the transfigured Christ, even the great theologian St. Thomas Aquinas declared, “All that I have written seems like straw.”
This should take our breath away! Yet we often forget these amazing realities. So today, take a moment to slow down. Contemplate the greatness of your God. Let the Spirit fill your heart with wonder and praise that you are loved by the King of ages, the only God.
“Lord, I stand in awe of your glory. Thank you for loving me!” (Meditation on 1 Timothy 1:15-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces minister and spiritual director Teresa Blythe who guides readers through an examination of the day in the presence of God.
Make yourself comfortable…. You may want to light a candle to signify the light of [God] illuminating your day.
Rest in silence for a few moments.
Ask God’s Spirit to lead you through your day.
Review your day.
If you could relive any one moment that brought you joy, which would it be? What happened in that moment that made it so life-giving? Sit with that moment and allow it to give you life again. Offer your gratitude to God for that moment.
If you could go back and change any one moment in your day, which would it be? What made that moment so difficult? Sit with that moment in the light of God’s love and allow yourself to feel whatever emotion you have. Offer that moment to God for healing.
Make a note of these two moments in your day.
End by giving thanks to God for all the ways God has been with you—through the joy and the pain. (Rohr, 2023)
We consider the fruit of our daily lives and accept the guidance of the Spirit to build a strong foundation to support full life.
References
Amu, V. (2023, September 16). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/091623.html
Luke, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?
Meditation on 1 Timothy 1:15-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/09/16/783362/
1 Timothy, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/1?15
Psalms, PSALM 113 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/113?1
Rohr, R. (2023, September 16). Edge of the Inside: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/edge-of-the-inside-weekly-summary-2023-09-16/
Schwager, D. (2022, October 2). A Life Built on a Solid Foundation. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=sep16
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