The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the necessity of faith in the path to our peace with God and love of neighbour.
In the reading from the Letter to the Romans, Paul cites the example of Abraham.
* [4:2–5] Rom 4:2 corresponds to Rom 4:4, and Rom 4:3–5. The Greek term here rendered credited means “made an entry.” The context determines whether it is credit or debit. Rom 4:8 speaks of “recording sin” as a debit. Paul’s repeated use of accountants’ terminology in this and other passages can be traced both to the Old Testament texts he quotes and to his business activity as a tentmaker. The commercial term in Gn 15:6, “credited it to him,” reminds Paul in Rom 4:7–8 of Ps 32:2, in which the same term is used and applied to forgiveness of sins. Thus Paul is able to argue that Abraham’s faith involved receipt of forgiveness of sins and that all believers benefit as he did through faith.
* [4:3] Jas 2:24 appears to conflict with Paul’s statement. However, James combats the error of extremists who used the doctrine of justification through faith as a screen for moral self- determination. Paul discusses the subject of holiness in greater detail than does James and beginning with Rom 6 shows how justification through faith introduces one to the gift of a new life in Christ through the power of the holy Spirit. (Romans, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 32 praises the Joy of Forgiveness.
* [Psalm 32] An individual thanksgiving and the second of the seven Penitential Psalms (cf. Ps 6). The opening declaration—the forgiven are blessed (Ps 32:1–2)—arises from the psalmist’s own experience. At one time the psalmist was stubborn and closed, a victim of sin’s power (Ps 32:3–4), and then became open to the forgiving God (Ps 32:5–7). Sin here, as often in the Bible, is not only the personal act of rebellion against God but also the consequences of that act—frustration and waning of vitality. Having been rescued, the psalmist can teach others the joys of justice and the folly of sin (Ps 32:8–11). (Psalms, PSALM 32 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus offers a warning against hypocrisy and an exhortation to fearless confession.
* [12:1] See notes on Mk 8:15 and Mt 16:5–12.
* [12:2–9] Luke presents a collection of sayings of Jesus exhorting his followers to acknowledge him and his mission fearlessly and assuring them of God’s protection even in times of persecution. They are paralleled in Mt 10:26–33.
* [12:5] Gehenna: see note on Mt 5:22.
* [12:6] Two small coins: the Roman copper coin, the assarion (Latin as), was worth about one-sixteenth of a denarius (see note on Lk 7:41). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Tom Lenz notes that if we pay attention to the patterns of our lives, fear seems to play a prominent role as a motivating factor for our thoughts and actions. We fear what others are thinking and saying about us based on our looks and performances, and it causes us to project our fears and anxieties onto others in ways that most of us are not conscious of – like the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
But the readings from today offer us an alternative message and an alternative approach to life. Jesus clearly tells us through Luke's reading that we “do not [need to] be afraid of those who kill the body.” The wounds of others can only go so far. The real killing, and the one we need to be afraid of, is actually ourselves. We are the ones who have “the power to cast [ourselves] into Gehenna” with our over-obsessions and anxieties. Our individual and collective fears about not being and doing enough are the real reasons for our anxiety. So, we cover our fears and mask our pain.
But here is the Good News, “God credits righteousness apart from works,” as Paul says in Romans, and we “are worth more than many sparrows,” as Jesus says in Luke. Everything is included in the Kingdom of God – all of our successes and all of our faults. “Even the hairs on your head have been counted.” They are all good, and they all matter – the good, the bad, and the ugly. (Lenz, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Comfort for those who doubt God's providence in Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"To bestow yet another means of comfort on our minds, he forcibly added that five sparrows are scarcely perhaps worth a penny, and yet God does not forget even one of them. He also said that the separate hairs of your head are all numbered. Consider how great care he takes of those that love him. The Preserver of the universe extends his aid to things so worthless and descends to the smallest animals. How can he forget those who love him, especially when he takes so great care of them? He condescends to visit them, to know exactly each particular of their state, and even how many are the hairs of their heads... Let us not doubt that with a rich hand he will give his grace to those who love him. He will not permit us to fall into temptation. If, by his wise purpose he permits us to be taken in the snare in order that we may gain glory by suffering, he will most assuredly grant us the power to bear it." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 87) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 4:1-8 comments that a life lived with nothing more than verbal faith is not a life of faith at all. We must let God’s word take root in our hearts and allow it to transform the way we live. Paradoxically, as we do, we will come to realize just how important our faith in Christ is: faith in Jesus’ unconditional love for us, no matter how unworthy we might think we are. Faith that he will always give us all the grace we need to do what he asks of us. And faith that he will shower us with his mercy whenever we come to him in repentance.
As we live this life of faith day in and day out, we can rest assured: it will be credited to us as righteousness!
“Jesus, thank you for making me righteous before your Father. Help me to live out my faith in you today and every day.” (Meditation on Romans 4:1-8, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on Paul’s use of the “midrash” form in Romans as he addresses the influence of Jewish Christians on his audience. Abraham required trust in God to be justified or being at peace with God. Friar Jude notes some of the sayings of Jesus that declare not secret in virtue or sin as people can sense our disposition and hypocrisy.
Brian McLaren introduces Leroy Barber who explains the importance of overcoming barriers to healthy relationships with people whom we perceive as different from us.
Is it possible for us to see each other the way God sees us instead of through our biases? The truth is that God doesn’t see people the way we do, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves and others that our way is the Creator’s way. In God’s eyes, each and every person is a bearer of [God’s] image. Each is a special creation, each is loved, each is in need of God’s love and forgiveness….
As ambassadors for the kingdom of God, we need to begin to see others as Christ does—as people in need of the same divine love, mercy, and grace that has been extended to us. [3] (McLaren, 2023)
We learn that faith is connected to surrender of our plans to the Will of God yet we need the inspiration of the Spirit to make us aware of our hypocrisy in working for our aggrandizement.
References
Lenz, T. (2023, October 20). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102023.html
Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?1
McLaren, B. (2023, October 20). Moving outside Our Comfort Zones — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/moving-outside-our-comfort-zones/
Meditation on Romans 4:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/20/808915/
Psalms, PSALM 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/32?1
Romans, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/4?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct20
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